A small lump

Question
I just noticed a very small lump on the in between my rat's leg and testicles. It is still very small but I don't know how long it has been there. I read on your website about the different tumors and such. Vin is an older rat and we've had him for almost two years and he was  almost full grown when we got him.

I was wondering, what is an estimated price for rat surgeries? I know many cases differ but if you know a ballpark figure that would be great.

the tumor feels like half the size of a pea, if not smaller. Is surgery usually successful on an older rat? How can I tell  if the tumor is malignant or benign? Does a biopsy tell you that?

Thank you!

Answer
It is so hard to give a price. I dont know where you live, if your in the US or the UK or Canada. I dont know if your on the West coast if your in the US or the East coast...so my figures may be very broad.

I have a friend who is a fantastic Vet in Georgia that tries to be fair with his prices so that ALL RATS can have the medical care they need and in fact, this awesome Vet actually takes a loss if you ask me, right in the pocket book. He doesnt see it as a loss, however, as he is a very compassionate toward animals and sees this is a gain. He feels by having lower prices people wont deny their rats the medical care they need. Many rat owners are either teenagers or college students.  Alot of them seem to be single men and women too, with a limited income.  This Vet wants to be affordable to everyone.
His prices for tumor removal are between $50 to $100.  Yes, people that just read this, I said under $100 for everything.  

Other places that I have experience with (North Carolina and Florida) would be anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on where you go.  The more expensive the better does not apply here. There are vets that charge $500 and sent the rat home an hour after the surgery, body temp still below normal and the rat was in so much pain he nearly went into shock from both the low temp and the pain. He was given nothing for pain.  Luckily the rat owner had written to me before the surgery took place. I already had informed her, after doing a search on the vets credentials, that this vet was not qualified to treat rats and in fact, he had little respect for them, referring to them as pocket pets that are inexpensive.  Any vet that says a rat is inexpensive to keep as a pet obviously has no idea what they are all about. Anyhow, I was able to locate an ER clinic that had an exotics department there and she brought her boy in right away. They saved h is life even though they claim I saved his life by recognizing the warning signs and sending her in to the ER facility.  So again, prices mean nothing as far as what kind of service your getting.
If you would like, I can find a vet for you. Just let me know your location.

As for the little mass....its pretty small. Is it hard or squishy? It could be an abscess. This is in a good location for both mammary tumors AND abscesses to form.  Is there a crater in the center of it? Is there a scab on it?  It may have even popped by now since I just now recieved your message today. Usually I am much more prompt with replies.

Also....to tell if its malignant or not would require a biopsy. Only a highy trained Vet that has uber experience with oncology can tell if its cancerous by eyeing it, and even at that point I would not really go by that. Its not carved in stone. I would want a biopsy, which are usually around $100.  To be honest, there is no need for a biopsy if it is a tumor.  Chances are, its benign, as cancer in rats is not common. Yes, rats are prone to mammary tumors, but they are fueled by the rise in hormone levels, esp in female rats after their estrus cycle ends for good. Males get them too, but the good news for them is they do not seem to invade their entire system and pop up left and right after a certain age.   Also, even if it is cancerous, there is nothing to be done for it. No radiation or Chemo therapy, even though some vets will attempt this, its a death sentence, rats just are not made to endure this type of thing. They also have such a short life span and to subject them to this type of stuff in their last phase or their life isnt fair, let alone it wouldnt be cheap.  Most of the time, off the wall stuff like that is an experiment an Vet has been "dying to try" so who better to use than a rat?

let me know if this thing has either grown larger or else has burst and gone away by now!