Tumor question

[September555]

Hi Everyone...long time no stop in. Craziness at my house!

My youngest...Lily (1 1/2 yrs) I just noticed has a large tumor/lump under her neck, like kind of above one leg but sorta in the middle. It doesnt really feel attached...it doesnt feel loose either. I dont know how on earth I didn't notice it before when it was smaller...but she is VERY FAT so that is probably why.

It feels kind of like....I think chickens and roosters have them in their chest...the little ball things above their chest bones...it feels like a ball of fat that just moves around in there. That what the thing on Lily feels like. I am giong to call the vet and get her in asap....however, most the vets around me do not work on exotics like rats, lizards etc. The one that I had before, I would come here and get some idea of what it may be and take the info to her and she would do whatever I needed if it made since, well she passed away and the new one I went to is okay. Shes not very gentle and I am not sure she really knows much about rats. So I wanted to run this past everyone here and see what everyone thought. That way she can not give me some crazy diagnose.

I assume it is a cancer tumor...I lost my old gal to cancer a few years ago. If it is cancerous....is there any kinds of medications we can try before we consider surgery to shrink it etc? Can it be any other thing except cancer? I know its hard to see/tell if she is not physically around to look at...but I know most of you here have crazy amount of experience with these kids. She is very very fat. Not...extremely...but she is hefty! She is also a dumbo...dont know if that makes a difference in anything.

Any info would be greatly appriciated. Going to try and get her to a vet tomorrow.

My other girl Bailey....she is 2 years and 8 months old and still going strong! She has lost alot of weight over a period of time, and really gotten small...but she is very active still, eats good, runs and plays. I have noticed two really small (smaller than a BB) bumps on her too. I know due to her age tho surgery would not work well with her. She is still doing really well. I guess I feel lucky to have one live longer than 2 years. I know some of y'all here have some 3-4 yrs old! I can only hope my girls hang out that long. :heart:

Thanks everyone
Paula

 

[jorats]

Hi Paula, good to see you again. Poor little Lily. My best guess would be a benign mammary tumour as they are very common in intact females as well as her age. An experienced vet would be able to remove the mass. There is a drug you could try called Tamoxifen which has been reported to reduce tumours but not always successful.
If it's an abscess, it could be easily cleaned out, any vet could do that.
Good luck!!!!

 

[September555]

Thanks Jo! We have a vet appointment at 4:30 today. She said she will look at her and see from there what it may be and what needs to be done. I will mention the mammory tumor and meds as well.

Paula

 

[jorats]

Keep us updated Paula! And good luck Lily.

 

[September555]

Well the vet said she didnt think it was a mammory tumor in Lily. She said it didnt feel like it was attached, thought it may be fatty. She drew a sample from it. She said when she did she got a little bit of gland (i think??) in it and she was glad she did because it showed some infection. Said there were also some cells in it...I assume she meant cancer cells. So she gave her some batryl in hopes to kill the infection at least and said it may help shrink the tumor some with that etc. She said she wants to see her in two weeks and we can go from there and talk about removal of it if there is no change in it.

I took grandma Bailey with me. Glad I did, she said her lungs sounded pretty bad with respitory infection, I had heard her squeeking some randomly and breathing a bit harder, figured it was due to her age...but wanted vet to look her over since we were there. So she is on batryl as well.

She only had pill form, they take it twice a day. Lily has to take more...its like a pill and 1/2 to two tablespoons of yogurt, then they take 1cc of that mixture twice a day. Baileys dose is one pill to the two tbs of yogurt and 1 cc dose. I just have to crush the pill and mix it into the yogurt, the mixture last 3-4 days I think. Sound right to anyone? The vet seemed pretty knowledgeable and confident when she looked at them. It is so hard to find someone who specializes in them. :wallbang:

Thanks again Jo.

One of the girls at the desk there said eww and made a face when I said I had rats in my box. She came in to see them when I got in exam room. I brought one of the girls blankie with them. Well they finally told the dumb girl who said my girls were ewwww to hold one. After much face making and discusting sounds...she took the blankie with both of them in it and held them a min....they fell asleep instantly and she changed her mind reallly quick about them being ewwww and then started asking if she were to get a pair what are some tips. LOL. Funny how quickly one can change once their heart melts eh? I did tell her to not even think about getting one for quite some time unless she was absolutely positive becasue if she thinks it was gross to start with...then she would most likely never be a rat person. I told her that after Bailey woke up and peeed on her and she was grossed out. LOL I said its only pee....it washes off...wait until you get a rat turd under your nails....she didnt like that. haha. I told her dont get a rat then. :giggle:

 

[jorats]

Too funny, your story with the vet staff. Good for you for telling her that she shouldn't get any.

I don't know much about Baytril in pill form so can't help you there.

 

[mamarat]

I told her that after Bailey woke up and peeed on her and she was grossed out. LOL I said its only pee....it washes off...wait until you get a rat turd under your nails....she didnt like that. haha. I told her dont get a rat then. :giggle:

:laugh4:

I'm glad you "educated" her.

 

[Joanne]

I'm glad Bailey educated her! LOL