Bump on neck...

Question
My mouse that I have now had for roughly 3 weeks appears to have a pretty large bump on her neck. The wound feels hard and is just under her chin. She seems to be playing as normal and the other mouse does not have any such signs on her. What could this be? And what do you suggest I do?

Answer
Dear Alex,

There are two common causes for a bump.  One is an abscess, and the second is a tumor.  The abscess can be lanced and drained by a vet, which would be followed by a course of antibiotics.  The tumor could be operated on, but with mice, the cancer generally returns and you will get a second tumor soon.  Thus an operation usually only prolongs the mouse's life by a few months, and is, of course, very hard on her.  There is also always the risk of death from the surgery.

You need to take her to the vet to be diagnosed and treated.  If it turns out to be a tumor you have the decision to have it removed or not.  If you don't have it removed, she will eventually die from it, but until that point she may be a perfectly happy mouse.  She won't look pretty, but she won't know that.  As it impedes her movement she won't know that that isn't true for every mouse.  However, at some point it will cause her to be unable to go about her daily activities, and then you have another difficult choice.  If you are willing to euthanize her, you will have to decide when her quality of life is poor enough that she ought to be put to sleep.  The important factor is her quality of life, not her appearance.  

If it is an abscess and it is treated, she will recover just fine and be a happy mouse in no time.  I truly hope that is the case.  In that case, I'm sorry to have scared you.

I wish your little girl the best of luck and health.

squeaks,

Natasha