Lump above pet rats eye and one eye sticking out more than the other

Question
QUESTION: Hello.

We have a pet Dumbo rat and has always been in really good health, happy and well looked after. He's approx 18 months old.

We have just noticed that he has a lump above the eye and one eye that sticks out significantly more than the other. As mentioned we have only just noticed this so I'm assuming it's a recent thing as he comes out to play with us everyday and we've not seen it before. On the other side of his head from the lump the eye appears to stick out more than the other (or may be this is the normal eye and the other is sticking in more??).

The lump is hard to touch and under the skin and fur so cannot make out any wound or broken skin.

Hope you can help. thanks

ANSWER: Can you send me a photo?  Attatch it here after the follow up.  I need to see it before I can tell you what it may be.

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Fifi's lump!   QUESTION: Hello. thanks so much for getting back to us so quickly. here is a photo attached, it's been difficult trying to take one which shows the lump and eyes well. The lump is slightly above his left eye (right hand side as you look at photo). Hope it's clear enough for you too see and we look forward to hearing back from you.


Santana without his ey   ANSWER: Hmmm....thanks for the photo.  Its hard to say, but it could be an intraorbital abscess inside that is causing his eye to protrude.  Some vets may attempt to try aggressive antibiotics if it is indeed an abscess, but if its a tumor, the eye needs to be removed and as much of the tumor as possible should be removed.  Not just any general vet will be equipped to do an enculeation on a small mammal but by all means its worth trying to save his life.  As for a rat with one eye, well there are no worries there, thats for sure.  My boy, who has now passed on, had his eye removed when he was 18 months or so and he did great for another year or more, passing away from heart disease.  The vet that performed the enucleation was an exotic specialist and had all of the proper microsurgical implements needed to do surgery in such a small area.  Do you need a vet?  Remember, a general vet that sees pocket pets on the side but is NOT an exotic specialist probably will tell you to try antibiotics and if that doesn't work, put the rat to sleep only because they are incapable of handling such a delicate case, which is NOT FAIR to you or your rat but sadly, many vets do this rather than admit it is beyond their expertise.

Here is a photo of my beloved boy, Santana, the one eyed rattie!

Hope this helps you!

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QUESTION: Hello. Thank you so much for your speedy and detailed reply i really appreciate it, feeling a little sad about the possibilities but good to see we have options and that your lovely boy Santana continued to live a happy life. We are definitely determined to do all we can for Fifi so if you could please recommend a specialist vet near to us i'd really appreciate it, i'm not sure how easy that is for you as we're in the UK but our post code it RG20 5RQ we live in Hampshire but are willing to drive. Whilst on the subject - would you have any tips for transporting Fifi? we do have a carry case specifically designed for small pets which he's relatively happy in but we hate putting him in something so small for a long drive and he's too excitable to stay put on our lap! any tips on making his journey to the vet less stressful would be much appreciated. thanks so much you really are doing a wonderful job on this web site. Lucy

Answer
These are the only  ones in my data base....let me know if they are too far and I can look more.

Also, to transport your lovely darling, a nice large cat carrier is all you need. You can fill a shoe box with litter for a litter pan and attach it to the side so it doesnt spill, or simply put down lots of newspaper, using the shoebox for a hidey house. Turn it upside down cut some holes and she can hide in  it. The water bottle can hang right on the front door of the carrier. They come in several sizes so get the largest one for more room. I use them all the time!
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Wendover Heights
1 Tring Road
Halton Aylesbury Bucks HP22 5PN  
Phone:  01296 623439  
Website: www.whvc.co.uk


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Dr. William Lewis
The Wylie Veterinary Centre Exotic
196 Hall Lane
Upminster Essex  
Phone:  01708251200
Website: www.wylievets.com

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Feldon Veterinary Centre LTD
94-96 King Street
Bedworth Warwickshire Cv12 8JF
Phone:  024 76312193


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Scott Veterinary Clinic
 405 Goldington Road
 Bedford Bedfordshire England MK41 0DS
Phone:  +441234261622