Wandas lump has returned

Question

Wanda   QUESTION: Hi there,

We have spoken many times. I'm from the UK and have just one rat left now, a doe called Wanda who I have spoken to you about many times before. She's nearly 3 years old, had a lump removed in November 2009 and it had now returned.

It it under her hind leg...the fur there never grew back from last time she had the op and that leg has got weaker and weaker. The lump has now returned, I noticed it tonight. It's in the same place as before. it's about the size of a grape. She's seems a little quieter than normal but is eating and drinking well few sneezes so I have put her on Baytril and am taking her to the vets tomorrow.

I have a very good exotics vet who we have spoken about before.

Have you had many 3 year old rats operated on? And with a second tumor in the same place? It's very fast growing as I check her daily. If the vet offers...would I be mad to risk it? She's a devil for pulling at stiches too and last time had to be glued also. (she chews everything all the time anyway!)

I'm very concerned about her age and as its a re-occuring tumor. Also, I read you website about Metacam? Is this a new finding? This is what My vet gave Wanda last time she had her op!? Should I insist on something else if I have another op? if so, what?

Thanks so much for your help. I hope you will reply as soon as possible as your advice is invaluable.

Kind regards,

Amanda.

ANSWER: Ack!! I hate these tumors with a passion!    

All I can say is this: Each rat is different, but an older rat takes much longer to heal. She was last operated on in November and now it is nearly May. That is alot of time and since rats age fast due to their fast metabolic rate, I would fear she would have a hard time healing. I have only had two rats operated on that were over 3. Both lived through the surgery but died shortly after. One from heart failure (non related to the surgery) but the other girl died from sepsis which is when the bacteria goes into the blood stream. This occured after her body kept rejecting stitches and the incision became infected. This was an off and on thing for three months. She smelled awful and I had to keep bringing her back to the Vets so they could drain the infected incision and give her antibiotics in her tiny veins. The bill was enormous but I kept going on not even caring about the bill. I just wanted her better. Her body just couldnt handle it and she died. She was 2 months away from turning 4 years old.

That said, if it were my rat, I would not chance it.  Its not like she will die this instant from the complications of this tumor. It could take months and months before it really starts to rob her body. Her liver is also 6 months older than it was in November. The liver needs to be at its best in order to filter out the anesthesia or this is also a great risk, and a fatal one at that.

The metacam is going to be a tough on, esp since your  in the UK.  So many vets see no problem with it yet more and more vets here in the US are penning their horror stories and refraining from using it.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with using a narcotic pain killer for your rat. The safe one that is widely used in the US is called torbutrol.  I have my doubts it is used in the UK for rats. So many drugs are NOT approved for use in rats in the UK and therefore, the rats there do not have half as many options when it comes to treating them with drugs that the rats in the US have.  Its worth asking though....some vets dont mind taking a chance and using the drugs anyhow. Its much much much safter than metacam is.  However, if you dont have the surgery, there is nothing to worry about.  Your vet CAN give your rat steroids. They are known to slow down the growth of tumors.  

I cant tell you what  to do, but you asked my opinion, and I am flattered you value my opinion so much.... so with the facts that older rats heal slower, their organs are not as strong and healthy and anesthesia is more of a risk than ever, if she were my rat, I would enjoy her now and keep her comfortable. Again, its not like she will die in a few weeks because of a  tumor. They are almost NEVER EVER EVER cancerous (mammary tumors, that is) so thats also a plus.

Hope this helps.

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Wanda   QUESTION: Hi Sandra,

Thank you so much for your reply. I do value your opinion greatly as in my eyes, experience counts for a lot! And you certainly have plenty of that.

I took Wanda to the vets yesterday and it turns out she has 3 tumors in total which is devastating. They are all near her hind legs on each side. Myself and my vet decided that it is best to keep her happy and comfy for as long as possible until the time comes to have her put to sleep.

I wish I knew how long this might be. One of the tumors is growing quite quick though. Shes still walking, eating, drinking etc. The vet said the blood flow is fine and her heart and chest are fine too. She has no discharge from her eyes or nose either. She seems happy in herself too so I am going to make the most of however long she has left. In your experience...do you think we're talking weeks here? Or could it be months? She's a real fighter.

I'm buying her all her favourite treats and am spoiling her rotten. I can't imagine her not being here. Out of all my rats she is last remaining and I have formed a really special bond with her.

I am giving her organic baby food to try and make sure she gets some good nutrients...along with her rat Muesli. She refused to eat the nuggets any more after her operation 6 months ago! She got fussy as she got older so now she will only eat the muesli!

Do you have anymore tips for me?

I would love it if you could put a photo of Wanda on your website one day maybe?

Thanks for all your advice.

Amanda x

ANSWER: I am sorry to here that.  I would not operate on her, either. Shes just too old and they will just keep growing  back again and again. Its not fair to let her spend the last half of her life healing from tumor surgery to be honest.  The healing time time will be much slower and its just  not worth the risk of anesthesia at her age.  She may be around for  6 more months, you never knew. Rats are tough. They are not going to let a little egg sized obstacle stand in their way of getting around to their food thats for sure!

I would love to put Wandas photos on my site. Send me the ones you would like to see up and send them to sandracontitodd@yahoo.com!



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Me and Wanda   QUESTION: Hi,

Thanks again for your reply. I feel I have done the right thing too. Her back legs are my main worry. She is struggling with them. Her nails have been clipped though by the vet but the tumor that has come back from the same place as the op is growing very quickly. I guess I will know when she stops bruxing and seems unhappy. Do rats brux when they are upset too or scared? Sorry for all the questions, she just means so much to me that I want to make sure I am doing the best I can.

Amanda x

Answer
I LOVE the photos, esp the one with you and her.  May I post these on my Critter City site?

Also, rats brux when happy as you know and often boggle too (when their eyes vibrate in their sockets) but they may brux when they are very angry too.  Trust me, you will know if she is unhappy.  She wont eat, her fur will look strange (almost greasy) she wont care about much and seem uninterested in her food and treats and she wont want to come out of her cage for play time.
You will know, trust me.  Rat owners are more in touch with their own rats but often question it, asking the vet for advice, when the truth is, you know more than the vet knows when it comes to this.