Mammary Tumors again

Question
Hello Sandra

Thank you for your advise in the past.

I just have one quick question on mammary tumors and Lupron.
I have only just read about this and wonder if it can shrink already formed tumors.

I have 2 girls due for surgery, Daphne (3 years old next month) and Violet 2.5 years old.

Both girls have had multiple tumor surgeries in their lives, but now they are getting older I am worried. Daphne has a large tumor in her lower belly area and 3 around the neck and chest. All feel round and un attached, Violet has about 3 in a row in groin, going from front to back. She also has a flattish one on her chest that I thought might be cancer. I treated her with tamoxifan but it didnt shrink, so thinking it may also be benign?

Anyway, instead of surgery, do you think it worth trying lupron injections to shrink them, if it would work.

I am terrified of them not surviving surgery.

Many thanks

Regards
Shane  (Australia)

Answer
I am also leary of surgery at this age. I just answered a question from someone that has a 4 yr old male that just had his second tumor surgery...only problem he had was he kept biting the stitches!!  However, this is not always the case, and the skill of the surgeon and the health of the rat is a huge factor.

As for Lupron, please check my site, sandyscrittercity.com and refer to the page on tumors. I know you have read alot about this lately, but its the same info I would tell you here. Real quickly, lupron works for benign tumors. If they are cancerous,  it wont work. Chances are they are NOT cancerous anyhow though since most mammary tumors are benign despite what many vets think. The vets that think they are cancerous most likely have limited experience with rats and mammary tumors than they would like to admit.

Tamoxifen is another hormone that works on tumors, but used for malignant tumors only. Again, info  found on my  site.   Getting a vet that knows the proper procedure to use these two drugs is another story.  How close do you live to this vet?

Dr. David Vella in Australia.  He is one of the ONLY vets in Australia that has just obtained a very high honor of being one of the first group of Vets to become certified as an exotic companion mammal specialist!  I have yet to find his exact location though so thought maybe you  can find him easier than I could!  If not, I have a few other names of good vets for you.

NEVER MIND.....found him!!  LOL

ONLY see this vet below if he is near you!
Dr. Vella DVM  
64 Atchison Street (cnr. Oxley St)
Crows Nest NSW 2065

http://www.northshorespecialist.com.au/vets.html