A lump!!

Question
QUESTION: We just discovered a small very soft lump on our girl rat Ziggy yesterday!!  She is 15 months old and has been very healthy to this day.  Never needed a vet visit before.  We are so worried.  Our vet appointment is tomorrow.  This vet says he has 16 years as a vet in this location and is experienced with exotic pets besides the usual dogs, cats and birds.  The lump is on the side of her chest right next to her front leg.  It is roundish and about the size of dime.  When I gently squeezed it, it seemed to be loose and moved around in my fingers.  We will hopefully find out tomorrow what it is.  Besides a tumor, what else could it be?  Either way, if we don't have it removed, is it certain to grow no matter what it is?  Also, if we have the lump removed, what can we expect the average cost of this type of surgery to be?  Do you think Ziggy will be prone to these lumps in the future if we have it removed?  We want to do the right thing...we adore her and she is our baby!!  I look forward to your answers and advice.  Thank you.
PS - We live in Mission Viejo, CA, area code 92692...would you happen to be able to recommend a good vet in our area in case we are dissatisfied with this one?

ANSWER: Have it removed, by all means.  It sounds like a mammary tumor and the good news is it is NOT cancerous.  I dont care what the vet says, chances are its not cancerous, but this doesnt mean its ok to leave it alone.  Please see my personal website, sandyscrittercity.com and refer to the page on rat ailments and find the topic about tumors for all the accurate info you need.
Please let me know what your vet said. I am curious..... opinions may vary, trust me, few vets impress me these days.

HOWEVER, this is one vet that I do trust and would suggest below.
I always send people to her if they live close enough.  According to the driving directions your about 33 minutes from this Vet.

Dr. Tia Greenberg
Westminster Veterinary Group   
6621 Westminster Blvd.
Westminster CA 92683
Phone:   714-899-1100
Website:www.westminsterveterinarygroup.com


You can go private and let me know who it was you did see if you want to keep it private.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Actually, I did not take Ziggy to the vet that day...I wanted to wait for your reply first.  I'd been doing a lot of internet reading since then, including on your website, and to me it sounds like its possible it is an abcess from the descriptions and what the lump feels like.  What's your thought on the possibility it is an abcess?  I have read that abcesses should not be surgically removed but a vet (or me) can drain them.  I don't think I would want to attempt it.  

Also, do you happen to know the average cost of surgery if it is a tumor?  Thanks!

ANSWER: An abscess would have opened up by now. It would have a scab on it or form a crater and start to drain usually within a few days.  If it is under the fur and floats around, seems as if you can simply cut open the skin and remove the lump, its a mammary tumor. They are unattached and floating. An abscess is more attached and firm.  You can definitely take care of it yourself if thats what it is, but if it doesnt open up and drain within a week of appearing, its more than likely not an abscess.

As far as tumor surgery, it varies from Vet to vet. You can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $300 or more.  If it gets to big, its more pricey and more risky to remove. If its located in a place that is loaded with blood vessels and arteries, its more risky.  Right now my rat has an egg sized mass on his outer leg. It looks like I can just un zip his fur and remove it, but the truth is, its tied into his femoral artery and the risk of blood loss is great, and so far two vets have declined to operate. I am devastated about it. Its NOT cancerous, but its getting bigger and eventually will take a toll on his body, tiring his heart etc...  Even if we did it when the mass was small, the vets said they would not feel good about operating, saying we are putting a totally happy and healthy rats life at risk.... so it does matter the location of the mass as well as the skill of the surgeon.

What major city are you closest too?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for that insight.  I am so sorry to hear your story....poor little thing!  I will monitor the lump on Ziggy to see if it opens.  If it's a tumor, how fast would it grow?  It's been about a week and seems the same size.  Also, is a mammary tumor risky to operate on?

Westminster is pretty far from me.  33 minutes is underestimating it.  It's more like an hour due to traffic that way.  I live closest to Irvine (that's the largest close city).  Do you possibly have another vet closer to me?  Thanks.

Answer
Oh....sorry.  I must have overlooked this one.
Westminster may be an hour drive, but it is my first choice as far as vets go for your rat. However, there is another place that have two vets on staff who have a special interest in exotics although they are not exotic certified, that doesnt always mean they are unable to provide adequate treatment.  I am familiar with Westminster which is why I suggested it first. Anyhow, this clinic is located in your area if that is easier for  you than driving an hour. Please keep me posted as to how things are going and again I am sorry for over looking your last follow up. We are not prompted through all experts when we get follow ups so if I dont go back and look for it I never know its there.


First choice:

Animal & Bird Clinic of Mission Viejo
24912 Chrisanta Dr.
Mission Viejo, Ca. 92691.
949-768-3651

Second choice (s)

Northwood Animal Hospital
13925 Yale Ave
Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 559-1992

This may be far for you as well, but again, even an hour drive is worth it for good vet care that is so hard to find.

Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital
4871 W. Rosecrans Blvd. Hawthorne, Ca. 90250.
310-679-0693
Dr. Walter Rosskopf