Tumor - some burning questions!

[megan123]

So in July I noticed that Sulley had a lump under his armpit. I brought him to the vet and he did an FNA and found that it was mostly fat and it was encapsulated - and no cancer in his opinion. He also said I could leave it be unless it started to grow/hinder his movement, and to keep an eye on it. Also that it was likely to change in consistancy/density, but to just watch the size.

Now I haven't been measuring but I don't think its gotten bigger (or if so, just a hair). But it has gotten pretty dense and seems to be getting a bit heavy. I had originally decided against surgery and opted to just let him live happily until he was no longer comfortable and then have him humanely pts.

Just to look a bit more into my options... I'm located in Guelph. I know a bunch of you are in the GTA and was wondering if there is a reasonably priced experienced vet that would do a tumour removal. The lump is about the size of a large grape. I know no one would be able to give an exact price but does anyone feel they can estimate or even just share your own lump removal stories/costs/etc.

Gahh Thanks in advance.

 

[hopefloats]

I cant help you with prices but personally i remove lumps if the rat is healthy. The lump can get bigger not sure if that one can or not. the lumps seems to make their life shorter than what it may have been prior to the lumps. That is just my experience from the few I have dealt with.

 

[Joanne]

If I were in TO, I would go to see Dr. Munn!
If your boy is in good health, I would get the tumour removed if it is changing. I will lose my girl Jazzy to multiple tumours, but I've had it removed twice already. She is very bright otherwise, but her hind end mobility problems preclude another surgery. My other tumour removals have been pretty straight-forward, and I would do it again. I WILL do it again when I need to.
If the tumour is the size of a grape, it should be a relatively simple surgery. Do it before it gets large and involved. However, if your boy is not healthy, then the general anaesthetic may not be safe.

 

[victoria]

Most mammary tumours are benign, they pose a risk because they can grow so big that they put pressure on vital organs or restrict mobility. If you are thinking of removing it, the longer you wait the bigger they will get and more expensive it will be to remove it. As Joanne said, Dr. Munn is the absolute best if you are able to go to downtown Toronto (Riverdale/Leslieville area) but I'm sure there are vets in the Guelph or KW area that will be considerably cheaper.

 

[jorats]

I believe I've read that there's a vet in Kitchener who does lump removals very cheap.