How long to let rat go on with tumour?

[Stace87]

If a rat still has a good appetite, is still cleaning himself, still wanting to come out and still moving around... but has a large tumour and some fluid build-up below the tumour, is it still okay to keep letting them go on until the tumour ulcerates? When at the vets last Tuesday for Spike's teeth trim the vet said it's probably time to let him go very soon. Spike does have HLD and is losing weight (you can feel he is quite bony now) but he still seems fine in himself, very licky and all that I've mentioned above. His coat still looks good and it isn't ruffled or anything to indicate pain.

[psycho_ash]

Where is the tumor at?

[Stace87]

Where is the tumor at?

This photo is a couple of weeks old, so the tumour will now be larger than it appears here. It is fluid build-up around his right hind leg, the tumour is above. It's his 3rd tumour in the same area - his previous 2 were removed.

[psycho_ash]

You said he's losing weight even though he has a good appetite? I would put him down... I get alarmed when an animal starts to lose weight even though they're eating fine.

But I could be wrong... when in doubt, follow your vet's advice, I'd say.

Good luck.

[RatWitch]

I wouldn't have him put down just because he is losing weight, no offense. It is a concern,  but if he is eating, that's the main thing. We're in the same situation with one girl, her lumps are worse though. If they ulcerate she will be PTS, or if she gets worse before then. You know your boy xx

[AMJ087]

In my experience....

Whether or not the tumor is growing or not a lot of time they let you know. They stop fighting adn clearly become unhappy. When they are no longer happy because of pain and discomfort and it clearly shows then its time. But make sure to do everything you cna to help them in that time, whether its just pain meds or getting up in the night to feed them, etc.. The extra love is needed. Good luck.

[psycho_ash]

I wouldn't have him put down just because he is losing weight, no offense.

If that was directed at me, it's cool. Like I said, I'm not really sure, I'm just saying what I think. I'm learning a lot on this board.

Whether or not the tumor is growing or not a lot of time they let you know. They stop fighting adn clearly become unhappy. When they are no longer happy because of pain and discomfort and it clearly shows then its time. But make sure to do everything you cna to help them in that time, whether its just pain meds or getting up in the night to feed them, etc.. The extra love is needed. Good luck.

I agree with the theory behind this a lot... like I said, I am not really experienced, I've only had one rat, but I have done lots of research on them... This post just kind of upsets me because it makes me wonder if I put my girl down too early... and that kindasortamaybealittle breaks my heart to think about.

[AMJ087]

Its hard no matter what but you have to know you are doing/did whats best for them. You do it so they dont suffer. Its always going to be hard though and everyone wonders if it was the right time but if they were unhappy and uncomfortable it was right.

[olddeadpig]

I'm with the majority on this thread, keep him happy while he seems mobile and interested. My lovely Flash has an inoperable tumour in her inner ear/head which is growing slowly but noticeably. She has metacam (which she loves!) which hopefully keeps her free of pain. She seems fine in herself still (only diagnosed last Friday, although it must have been there before), still running about happily and eating plenty, but she is losing weight (thankfully she had a great deal of weight to lose to start with, my beautiful piggy!) and shakes her head a bit as if trying to shrug the lump off, so you can tell she notices something. However I wouldn't think of euthanasing her at this stage. I know ratties are good at hiding their pain, but you get to know your rats over time and she's still doing ok. She still comes out for a cuddle and a treat, and interacts normally with her cagemates. I agree that if she no longer seems interested or lively I would act in her best interests and take her to the vet. However everyone makes their own decision as they see best. Everyone on this forum loves their rats (all rats!) and you're not going to get criticism here, just advice. All the very best to you and your lovely lad.

[Stace87]

Spike is still with me. I don't think it's time for him to go yet, although the tumour is still growing (and the fluid build up below). I've been giving his back end a little wash every couple of days to prevent any urine burns, which he doesn't mind. He's still eating on his own as I've saw him at the bowl getting his nuggets out and he's still loving the baby food! If I let him on the floor he scoots around, still washing himself etc... so I hope it's okay to keep him around? His eyes still look bright. No doubt he will need his teeth trimmed again in the next few days and I have a feeling the vet will probably have the opinion it's time to let him go, seeing as 2 weeks ago he said it's probably time to let him go very soon ... but I don't think so  . Does anyone have any photos they could post or PM me of how large they've let a tumour get? I know things will obviously depend on the location of the tumour as to how long a rat can go on... but just to give me an indication of if I'm doing wrong or anything 

[Stace87]

With him having HLD anyway, the tumour itself isn't causing many (if any) more problems with mobility than if it wasn't there as he drags his hind legs now anyway. I may ask about trying to drain some of the fluid while he's awake if possible, as the pressure of the fluid is twisting one leg slightly to the side (not out of place of anything, just so it crosses over the other hind leg sometimes) which is at times causing urine to stay on his fur.

[ema-leigh]

Yes from my personal experience they dont seem to bother the rat too much with regards to mobility or pain. I'd keep an eye on the lump closest to his genitals, sometimes they can swell and prevent the rat from urinating causing infection if left untreated. But I really dont think its his time to go just yet, esp if he seems in good spirits and you are able to give him the extra care he needs. Keep fighting as long as he does

[Stace87]

Spike has rattly breathing occasionally as of today...

[littlematchstick]

I'm so sorry Stace..I've been following brave Spike's story for a while now..with the tumors and abcesses..he's such a fighter. I hope things turn out well..or if his time comes soon, that you will find peace with everything. You'll both be in my thoughts. Keep us updated.