Tumor or Abscess?

[RenderedUnsafe]

Well, to start things off, hello my name is Dylan, I am 16 and from Australia!

I have had this rat for roughly 3 years now, so it is at the peak of it's life, and a month or so ago my mum noticed a small lump on the front of Smurf - the rat.

The lump has grown, and has now stopped, it is about the size of a 20c coin?

In the past few days we noticed that there was a bit of a slit in the tumor that we hadn't seen before, there hasn't been any blood or muck that has come out from it, from what we have seen. However the region was a little bit sticky yesterday, but only a small amount.

The slit has a small odur to it as well.

There has been times since the lump that one eye of Smurf's was popped out more then the other one? I am presuming the tumor is near the brain, or an abcess if thats what it is.

Heres some photos.



This is a picture of the tumor itself, sorry for it being blurry, she wouldn't stay still. If you need a better one, just say.


This is the best shot I could get of the actual slit, it's behind that white skin there, and goes up.

EDIT: Will be taking her to the vet today!

Thanks!

 

[jorats]

It looks pretty serious but the picture is blurry. At her age, it can a benign mammary tumour or an abscess or a cyst. From what you describe though, it almost sounds like a cyst or abscess on a tumour.
The one eye popping out, that could be another abscess behind the eye or it can mean a respiratory issue. A trip to a good vet is a good start. If anything, ask for baytril or Bactrim, those two meds are good with abscesses.

 

[RenderedUnsafe]

Went to the vets earlier, the vet straight away thought that it was am abscess as when she felt it she could feel fluids inside of it, she left with Smurf to inject an empty syringe in and see what she could get out, all she got was mucus, she cleaned it out, and then wetted smurf and could immediatly see blood veins going into it, it's a tumor.

We have been given Baytril, something else and have to go back for the next two days for an injection.

 

[Aida]

Oh no. Good luck, I hope she can recover.

 

[lilspaz68]

I am so very sorry. I am confused about the mucus part, tumours are just fleshy, there's no mucus. Does the opening smell meaty or really foul? If its a ruptured tumour sadly infection will kick in pretty fast and you will need to have her humanely put to sleep

 

[RenderedUnsafe]

The opening smells really foul.

We have the antibiotics for a week, see how she goes.. considering the removal, but she is three.

 

[hopefloats]

it doesnt match the typical role of a tumor. Tumors generally will only get that nasty when they get huge. Hers isnt very large and with the scabs I would almost bet abscess unless she has something very strange. Either way I would attempt some warm compresses on her. Does she live with other rats?

 

[RenderedUnsafe]

Whats this warm compress? How do I do it? Sorry for being clueless.

She lived with another rat, however that rat is gone. She has been by herself for a good 9 -12 months I believe.

Theres a good chance it is a caluss over a tumor.

 

[Joanne]

Whats this warm compress? How do I do it? Sorry for being clueless.

You can use a face cloth and just wet it with warm water. Hold it on the area. It's easier than soaking the whole rat - LOL.
Good luck!

 

[RenderedUnsafe]

Thankyou, will start doing that.

Since the vets have cleaned it out, it's started to deflate. It's quite a bit smaller today.

 

[hopefloats]

Chances are if it is going down she has a abscess not a tumor. Tumors will not go down after a draining abscess will however.

That is a pretty typical spot for bite marks, my rats love to nibble on the neck of a rat laying on their back after a good pinning.

 

[RenderedUnsafe]

Shes an only rat, aha.

Tumor has gone down though as the vet nipped the abscess enough to open it up somewhat, only a tiny hole. all the muck is coming out, and we are cleaning it with anti-infenctant.

 

[RattusNorvegicus]

How is she health and active wise? If I understand correctly the healing process after surgery is tough for an old rat, but if you feel comfortable, I'd definitely try to have it removed.

 

[RenderedUnsafe]

She is quite healthy, and energetic.

The issue with the surgery, is that she is 3 and that is a lot of the time the max age.. $500 could be the cost for it, and when they might not make it through, or live long after sorter makes you want to go down the path of just keeping them happy.

 

[Joanne]

That's for sure. I once did surgery for one of my ferrets only to find out with a biopsy that she had leukemia. I felt bad knowing that she spent her last few weeks being sore and uncomfortable recovering from surgery when it did nothing to extend her life.
Do what you feel is best. If she is getting some relief from it being drained, then make sure it keeps draining so the pus doesn't build up inside again. She might surprise you yet!

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

It does sound like an abscess, glad it popped and that smurf is on the mend!

 

[RenderedUnsafe]

This morning we cleared out some more pus from the abscess, the size of it has gone down immensely but the tumor is still under it. As long as the tumor doesn't keep growing then it could be alright. She really doesn't like us cleaning the pus out of it though, she also isn't eating this morning but is doing everything else that she's always done, presuming she ate overnight? I will keep trying though.

 

[lilspaz68]

If the tumour is still underneath it then you have a necrotic or abscessed tumour, and they usually don't end well. Is she on pain medication?

 

[RenderedUnsafe]

If the tumour is still underneath it then you have a necrotic or abscessed tumour, and they usually don't end well. Is she on pain medication?

Yep, she's on pain medication.

Ever since the abscess has been opened up, and we are clearing it out, it's lost over half of it's size. She is also now eating much better since we got home, and she had her third needle today, not sure what it's for though. Cannot be much pus left in there surely.

 

[RenderedUnsafe]

In the past day, Smurf has improved beyond belief. The tumor is tiny. We can somewhat see the tumor inside the abscess, and it's small. The abscess is virtually gone, it's draining from two holes. She is much happier, putting on ten fold the amount of weight. More energetic, happy, etc.

I am very happy, and hope this last's as long as possible.