My female rat (Cricket) is old (almost 3?) but still acts like herself, eats, drinks and bathrooms pretty normally. However, she has a very large benign mammory tumor. It is large now and certainly taking all her nutrients. Still, she acts happy and alert. It is hard on me bacause I thought maybe by this point she'd change and I'd know it's time to say good bye but she's literally herself still. I am totally in love with her. That is besides the point. Today I noticed her tumor has a very dark colored pretty sizable "scab" on it. Certainly the area that drags the most on the floor. I had been puttin olive oil every so often on that area of her tumor to help with irritation. Now today, the big scary scab. I thought ok, I'll watch this every day to make sure it doesn't get infected -- right? Of course I can't sleep so I started doing research. And necrotic tissue is a thing. That is awful. And leads to a painful death or sepsis because toxins are released into the blood. She would need to be put down asap. Can anyone please help me identify if she has a normal scab or dead necrotic tissue? Or could it be both? I'm leaning toward normal scab because it's the obvious area that drags but could that also be necrotic ? Like necrotic tissue doesn't just happen on its own right? Thank you in advance. No nasty comments on how this should be removed and about how terrible I am about letting it get so large. Her father and I are constantly weighing the decisions and have been faced with hard ones and very attentive from the start. Yes she has been to the vet. Just not with the dark mark as it's new. Thanks again.
CricketsMom
Graphic: Need Help: Scab VS Dead Tissue/ Necrotic Tissue
My female rat (Cricket) is old (almost 3?) but still acts like herself, eats, drinks and bathrooms pretty normally. However, she has a very large benign mammory tumor. It is large now and certainly taking all her nutrients. Still, she acts happy and alert. It is hard on me bacause I thought maybe by this point she'd change and I'd know it's time to say good bye but she's literally herself still. I am totally in love with her. That is besides the point. Today I noticed her tumor has a very dark colored pretty sizable "scab" on it. Certainly the area that drags the most on the floor. I had been puttin olive oil every so often on that area of her tumor to help with irritation. Now today, the big scary scab. I thought ok, I'll watch this every day to make sure it doesn't get infected -- right? Of course I can't sleep so I started doing research. And necrotic tissue is a thing. That is awful. And leads to a painful death or sepsis because toxins are released into the blood. She would need to be put down asap. Can anyone please help me identify if she has a normal scab or dead necrotic tissue? Or could it be both? I'm leaning toward normal scab because it's the obvious area that drags but could that also be necrotic ? Like necrotic tissue doesn't just happen on its own right? Thank you in advance. No nasty comments on how this should be removed and about how terrible I am about letting it get so large. Her father and I are constantly weighing the decisions and have been faced with hard ones and very attentive from the start. Yes she has been to the vet. Just not with the dark mark as it's new. Thanks again.
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It's hard to tell much from the picture. Hopefully someone else will chime in. I'm sorry your girl is having difficulties. I know it's not helpful advice, but it may just be best to take her to the vet to decided what to do next. If it is necrotic tissue, it's not worth the risk the leaving it unattended.
Unfortunately when they get to that size and something like necrosis or cancer sets in, it's really only a matter of time.. My girl, Freyja, had a pretty large mass like that when she was around 3..
No matter what has happened, you've gave your girl a beautiful life <3
No matter what has happened, you've gave your girl a beautiful life <3
I've dealt with this twice on two different rats. What it looks like happened is the tumor got so large it ruptured. If it is necrotic, it will stink. Right now, you obviously need a vet. Keep it clean. Go to the pharmacy and get saline. Squirt saline in that wound. Keep it as clean as possible until she gets to the vet. Keep her on the cleanest bedding possible and keep her away from other rats.
You will most likely need to make an on the spot decision between euthanization and removal. If she is otherwise healthy and happy, I'd opt for removal but of course this is up to you.
The important thing now is keeping that thing surgically clean. It will become a full time job. Once it starts to stink, you are starting to lose the battle. Until then, you have a fighting chance to keep her alive and comfortable without surgery. She will need antibiotics.
Best of luck! I hope she pulls through.
You will most likely need to make an on the spot decision between euthanization and removal. If she is otherwise healthy and happy, I'd opt for removal but of course this is up to you.
The important thing now is keeping that thing surgically clean. It will become a full time job. Once it starts to stink, you are starting to lose the battle. Until then, you have a fighting chance to keep her alive and comfortable without surgery. She will need antibiotics.
Best of luck! I hope she pulls through.
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