Matilda has a Tumor :(

Well just back from the vets, he has confirmed my fears that the lump that has appeared on Matilda in the last few days is a mammary tumor.
They were cleaned out on wednesday and we didn't notice it, shes been out running around and climbing and we didn't notice it, my daughter has been sick this week and the girls haven't had as much attention as usual, but the first we noticed was yesterday morning, its already quite large and the vet thinks its too dangerous to operate as its at the groin and partially on her leg.
The rate its grown at he thinks it won't be long, we just have to keep an eye on her, he'll give meds for pain if needed, he says she's showing no signs of pain yet, so that's good at least. Shes about 18 months, so not that old either.
Anyone any advice?

Not been a good week, we lost our young cat Mouse last Sunday, she was killed on the road, and my daughter is still crying at night over her.

I am very sorry to read this

I have a little experience with tumors, Speedy had one removed and poor Rosalina went through it 3 times already.

They recovered very good and quickly each time.

The tumores were located on the side, on the belly and on the leg.

I would personaly always recommend to have tumors removed, even if its risky, because they grow so fast and the rat would have to be pts after a very short time.

But if your vet sais surgery is not possible there is little you can do of course.

My vet is a specialist for small animal surgery, I'll pm you with the details, maybe you want to drop him an email with a picture of the lump for a second opinion.

All the best for Matilda! <3

In that area, I would say tumour removal is worth a try if the rat is in otherwise good health - how is her breathing?
xx

Matilda is the rat we got that was very snuffly, her breathing isn't bad, but can be noisy at times.
Its not just the position that is the problem, its already the size of a large grape after a few days, I have to measure and check over the weekend and report back. She was having belly tickles a week ago and it wasn't there.
Don't know what to do, vet said she could live with it for a couple of months, but was unsure about operating due to her noisy breathing (he had her on his shoulder with her against his ear) and the risks from the position.

That could be why he doesn't want to operate - if she's snuffly. I'd have thought he might try antibiotics first though, and see then if she's fit for surgery - but yes, generally, having bad breathing does mean it's much less likely for surgery to be successful

xx

Hi, it looks to be growing fast. From nothing to a large grape in a week, best to get it out as soon as Matilda is able for it, if she is able. We've been in this position before, although not with such a fast growing lump, if it is quite detached and easy to move around its good as it may not be in contact with the vaginal wall. If it is attached to it then there is a chance it is also attached to a blood vessel running along side the wall and it is extremely difficult to detach a tumor from it without rupturing the blood vessel and can increase surgery time which increases anesthetic time and increases risk.

But she is 18 months and the vet, being the man on the ground as it were, knows where it is and what it could be attached too. If the vet has done this type of surgery before then he knows the risk of anesthetics on a rat. Matildas snuffle may be nasal scarring, sinusitis or an infection that may only go with a long course of antibios. But in saying that if the lungs are clear, with no echos and the heart rate is fine then I would chance it without antibios. But he has got to check the lungs with a stethoscope otherwise he may not be giving you or Matilda a fighting chance. Hope everything works out

So sorry, I've lost 2 of my girls to tumours. Thinking of you x

Sorry it's been a while since I was on here.

Update, Matilda is still with us, showing no sign of pain, her tumour is quite large and makes her less nimble but she can still climb!
She hasn't changed a bit, still first out for cuddles and food, we have to watch now for incontinence or bladder issues, and having to clean the skin/hair where it's touching the floor of the cage.
It seems to have stopped growing or slowed down greatly, so we are just waiting and watching for any sign of pain or other problems.

Hi. Its great to hear she is still with you and behaving as normal. Just watch the area where the lump is touching the ground if you notice it showing signs of ulceration or blistering you will have to start thinking about putting her to sleep, but I would also recommend a tumor friendly diet if she is not on one already. Zoundzy would have more details on it but no fatty foods like nuts and egg yolk. And very little protein.
Zoundzy you might elaborate on the above

I have to say I don't know a whole lot about tumour friendly diets   we so rarely get tumours here really. I would definitely say lower protein though. What protein you do give should be as nutritious as possible.

Cut out sugars, especially refined sugars. There is some contention as to whether this is actually true - that the best thing you can do is to just feed a good all-round balanced diet.

I wouldn't say giving a high fat diet was necessarily a good idea - as that would help to feed the tumour too. You would try perhaps to substitute carbs for more fat and protein - but to be honest, just keeping a normal enough diet might well be better off.

Basically, there's nothing you would cut out entirely, unless you believe the stuff about sugar. I would personally, for my own rats, just keep to a normal diet.

xx

Sorry for lack of updates, changes with work and other stuff keeping me very busy.
We made the decision to pts on 21st December as both us and the vet thought it was time, she was spoiled rotten and we miss her terribly, she was always first out to say hi.

The decision to pts is the hardest one you'll make as a pet owner but you made the right choice. Sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry

xx