Tumor

Question
Nikita is my two year old female rat. I just noticed a lump appear on her hind leg yesterday. I'm pretty sure it is a tumor. Just recently I've had to take my other rat to the vet multiple times for an abscess that kept popping up. So, currently I don't have the money to take her. As soon as I do get the money I plan on taking her to the vet immediately. My question is that do I need to give her any special care? Should I change her diet at all? I heard that tumors suck up all of the nutrients. She is currently eating Harlan Teklad 2014 along with fresh fruit and veggies daily. Also, do you know of any good vets in my area that could take care of her if it is a tumor? I live in Columbus, Ohio. I love my girl and want to do whatever I can to help her.

Answer
Your feeding a great diet, no need to change.  Yes, tumors eventually become vascular and start to deplete the rat the nutrients she needs to sustain her vital organs in order to remain healthy. Weight loss starts and the rat gets weaker as time goes. This wont happen over night, however, so dont worry about that.  You ahve plenty of time to save your money if its a tumor.  However, I do need to say that you absolutely DO NOT need to waste a dime at the Vets for an abscess and its pretty shameful that any vet try to CON a rat owner or any pet owner into coming back for him to care for it when it can be easily done right at home. No abscess EVER needs operated on and if the vet tells you that it does, he or she is LYING and you need to fire them right away. As for the lump, where on the hind leg is it? Under her leg on on the leg? Can you attach a photo during our follow up?   It may be an abscess. If its an abscess you will see a little crater on it or a scab.  let me know right away.

As for vets?  You have a few to chose from up there in Ohio in your area and in fact on place I am going to suggest is the best in the state, to be honest.  Your fortunate to have access to this Vet. Again, though, an abscess can be easily treated at home.  Please refer to my  wesbiste sandsycrittercity.com and look up tumors and abscesses etc...

Oh, I almost forgot...I was born and raised in Ohio (Youngstown/Akron area)  but I moved south 13 yrs ago.

Here is the Vet to call when you need to see one:

Dr. Barbara Oglesbee
Capital Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center
5230 Renner Rd.
Columbus OH 43228
Phone:  614-870-0480
Website: cvrec.org


Another good place:

Dr. JodiLynn Smith
Animal Care Unliminted Inc
2665 Billingsley Road
Columbus OH 43235
Phone:  614-766-2317
Website: www.animalcareunlimited.com