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Red growth from vagina, please help me!

7K views 39 replies 5 participants last post by  FelineWolf 
#1 ·
My rat Suki is about 18months old, and yesterday I noticed a red growth hanging from her vagina, it looks almost like a cranberry and seems to be on a stalk like thing. She didn't seem overly concerned by it (and I didn't notice it till about 10pm) so I left it to today to take her to the vets.
The vet isn't sure what it is, she says it's either a polyp (sp?), a tumor or that the vulva has somehow unattached itself and swollen badly.
To be certain she'll need to put Suki under GA and have a closer look. She says with any of them she can't be sure that it won't re-occur.
I've been through the worry and upset with tumors before, the stress to animal and owner of the operation, only to have the tumor come back 2 months later :(

I love Suki to bits but I really am questioning whether it's worth going through the operation when in the long run it may just be putting off the inevitable trip to the Rainbow Bridge.
Do any of you have experience with this kind of growth? What are the realistic chances of it re-occuring if it is a polyp?
I will try and get some pictures up later if I can, I know how tricky it is to help with these things without seeing it.


Oh, and as for introductions: Hi, my name is Kelly, I have 2 rats, Asia and Suki, I did have 3 but Carmen was PTS due to old age this afternoon :(

These are the girls, closest is Suki (dark one), then Asia (Husky) and Carmen at the back :)
 
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#3 ·
I checked with others and we all think prolapsed uterus not a tumour. There are 2 options for you. A spay or she will have to be pts. Surgery at 18 months is nothing, they are not old. I have known of spays done at 2 years plus where the rat went on to have a very long happy life :)

A spay can also help against future tumours as well.

If your girl is healthy and you can afford it, get her spayed. :)
 
#7 ·
In fact, I might ask to see a different vet, i wasn't entirely happy with the way she spoke to me today and she didn't ever mention a prolapsed uterus, if there's a chance that's what it is I want to see another vet, in fact we have a specialist small animal vet, in another town where we take the ferrets, so if I can get a lift I will take her there, I only took her where I did today because I had no transport (not sure a motorbike is appropriate transport for a sick rat :p )
 
#8 ·
FelineWolf said:
In fact, I might ask to see a different vet, i wasn't entirely happy with the way she spoke to me today and she didn't ever mention a prolapsed uterus, if there's a chance that's what it is I want to see another vet, in fact we have a specialist small animal vet, in another town where we take the ferrets, so if I can get a lift I will take her there, I only took her where I did today because I had no transport (not sure a motorbike is appropriate transport for a sick rat :p )
I would see another vet if you can, its the first thing I thought of and I am not a vet!! Cows and horses, pigs and other animals can often have their prolapsed uterus replaced, but a rat? I had to check on that one for you.

Make sure they send you home with abs (baytril is best) and pain relief (metcam is awesome stuff and lasts forever). Some vets do not believe rats need pain management (they are too stoic for their own good) and if you run into one of those, PM me and I'll help you with doses of Infant Motrin suspension. :)
 
#10 ·
FelineWolf said:
Thank you very much! I will ring up the other vet surgery first thing tomorrow and try and get my mum or dad to give me a lift out there :)

This could have been a very sleepless night, I am sooooo grateful for your help, and the speed at which it came!
I saw this, threw out my post and then went researching and IM'g the truly qualified rat folk about this. I knew you would be worried, its a scary thing to see.

Sleep well and cuddles to your sweet girl!!
 
#11 ·
This forum is especially good for this type of thing. Lilspaz was so supportive in talking me through our little Kira's complications and eventually being PTS. I have enjoyed meeting the people here. Best of wishes FW, hope your girl does well and heals up quickly! :)
 
#12 ·
Welcome!! I hope all your rattie does well in surgery.

When I read the title of your post I immediately thought prolapsed something.. Id really question your vets knowledge if she didn't even think of that. Honestly, how many things could have caused that?
 
#13 ·
Well, the vet said herself that she'd neve seen it before, so obviously not THAT qualified when it comes to rodents!
Anyway, I have Suki booked in for an appointment with the vets who treat our ferrets in an hour, they'regoing to check her over and say they can fit her in for any operation needed this afternoon.
Fingers crossed y this evening I'll have a happy healhy little ratty back home! :D
Thanks again :)
 
#15 ·
Well, you were half right ;)
It's a polyp coming from the uterus, he said we had 2 options:
-ligature the polyp
-spay
He did say he doesn't think that the polyp is overly likely to re-occur, so considering the extra risks involved with spaying he reccomended going for the less risky ligature for now, then spay as a last resort if it comes back :) I'm happy with that!
What surprised me most of all is the price difference! The last vets were quoting me £40 (aprox $80) to investigate and operate, these vets have quoted me only £20 to spay if it comes to that! They were so much friendlier, I'm so glad you were here, if you hadn't come up with an alternative diagnosis then I wouldn't have changed vets!
 
#21 ·
She's home!
I'm amazed at how completely unfazed she seems by the whole thing! I've put her back in the cage with Asia cos there aren't any stitches or anything so I didn't think there's be a problem, usually they have sawdust but I've put down a paper bedding instead (£4/$8 for one cage's worth 8O ) as I'm figuring it might be less irritating if the area is at all sore.
So yup, Suki is all snuggled down enjoying being home, it has made me absolutely resolved to handle them more though, because usually I just let them have a play around on my bed, but don't tend to actually physically handle them much...let's just say it showed! As friendly as Suki is, she wants to be up on the shoulder, not in the hands!
 
#22 ·
FelineWolf said:
I've put down a paper bedding instead (£4/$8 for one cage's worth 8O ) as I'm figuring it might be less irritating if the area is at all sore.
Just an idea, why don't you try an old towel or two to line the cage? it'll be snuggly for her too :) (cheaper too - I've just raided mum's airing cupboard and managed to almost get 2 sets of bedding for all my cages! I used to buy Carefresh but it's over £4 per packet! O.O)

Good to hear she did so well :)
 
#24 ·
Up until a month or so ago, I never realised just how much you could learn from places such as this forum. I swear, it feels as though I'm back in school with everything I'm learning. Unfortunately, the test is real life though.

Matalan or Primark are good if you have one nearby. I bought sets of towels for £5 each and they are good quality, but not too expensive so they can't have a good ole chew on them lol
 
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