[Michelle-Tanner]

Tonight I just noticed my youngest rat has a lump on her neck. It has me worried, especially since I didn't notice it yesterday or even earlier today. It must be growing very fast or I am sure I would have noticed it yesterday if it was this big. It's about the size of a pea, just above and to the right of her left shoulder. I expect I will take her to a vet soon, but until then what does it sound like she has?
She's not even an old rat. I've had her less than a month, and she was the size of a hamster when I got her so she's young.

-MT

 

[DonnaK]

As you said, you really do need to get her to the vets, and asap if it's growing that fast.

Can you describe how it feels? Is it hard? Soft? Does it move under the skin? As I understand it, abscesses are soft and move under the skin and I think tumors are hard... I'm sure somebody with experience in lumps will be along, soon. Does she seem in any pain with it?

 

[Michelle-Tanner]

As you said, you really do need to get her to the vets, and asap if it's growing that fast.

Can you describe how it feels? Is it hard? Soft? Does it move under the skin? As I understand it, abscesses are soft and move under the skin and I think tumors are hard... I'm sure somebody with experience in lumps will be along, soon. Does she seem in any pain with it?

I guess it felt kind of hard, but she was squirming so much it was hard to tell. She's not used to being held that way.
She doesn't seem to be in pain that I can tell. The only thing I've noticed about her today is may be a slighlty less active than usual. She's always been kind of hyper, but today she seems quieter though not really a lot.

-MT

 

[DonnaK]

The best I can say, really, is try and get to a vets tomorrow. Not all tumors are dangerous, but the longer you leave them, the more difficult and expensive they are to remove. I think, if I remember rightly, they also prove as a drain on the rat. If it's an abscess, it'll be pretty straight forward to get rid of, with the vet's help.

 

[chrisstrikeagain]

researech and find an experienced rat vet. I had the smae thing, and he said it was tumor. But it wasnt. I went elsewhere and she said it was possibly swollen lymph nodes or some infection in the throat.

Bottom or top of the throat?
If bottom, check and see if there is two of them.

 

[DonnaK]

Any news on this? Did you manage to get her to a vet?

 

[Michelle-Tanner]

Any news on this? Did you manage to get her to a vet?

I did, and she removed something. I forget what she said it was called. Her neck is a an unsightly mess though. How well do things like this normally heal, and will all her hair likely grow back in that area?

-MT

 

[DonnaK]

I can't think of any reason why she shouldn't heal well and have her fur grow back, if the surgery went ok. When you say unsightly mess... do you mean the surgery site, or is there something that doesn't look right about it? Can you post a picture of what it looks like so people can give you a definitive answer?

 

[Michelle-Tanner]

I can't think of any reason why she shouldn't heal well and have her fur grow back, if the surgery went ok. When you say unsightly mess... do you mean the surgery site, or is there something that doesn't look right about it? Can you post a picture of what it looks like so people can give you a definitive answer?

I don't have a camera, so I can't take a picture of it. The area where it was removed...it looks like I would expect after surgery, but it just doesn't look pleasant. Red and no hair.

-MT

 

[DonnaK]

That should grow back just fine. Keep an eye on it for any signs of swelling or infection and that she is keeping it clean. I don't think you need to worry.