Protrusion in lower abdomen

Question
QUESTION: Thank you, Sandra Todd, for your answer to my question about the protrusion in the lower abdomen of my rat. In answer to your question: There are no scabs. The color shining through the skin is black. If this is a an abscess or a hematoma wouldn't her behavior have changed? She is as normal as can be and seems to be in good spirits. Also, could either an abscess or a hematoma appear within a very short time. I have her out every day and would have noticed.

Thank you in advance for your answer,
Alma Giese

ANSWER: Yes they can show up very fast.  Is it any bigger now?  Sorry for the delay in answering, I have had a personal issue to handle but things are getting back on track now so I should be answering everyone in a timely manner.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much, Sandra, for your answer. We'll see a vet tomorrow, and I hope it's one of those who really knows something about rats. I think the lump has become a bit bigger. I'm a first-time rat owner and I'm totally smitten. Little Snowflake has brought so much light into my life! I'm already crying at the thought of loosing her.
By the way, your website is wonderful and so informative! Thank you very much!
I hope your personal issue could be handled in a satisfactory way.
All the best,
Alma

ANSWER: Please keep me posted and I hope it all goes well.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Sandra.
the vet said that she had a mammary tumor, that it was no big problem to remove it, especially if it was encapsulated and that rats were good at surviving surgery. We made an appointment for the next day, Wednesday. She absolutely didn't want to come out of my pocket in the Animal Hospital and it was heartbreaking. We left (we me crying my eyes out) believing that her surgery would be in half an hour. When I called 2 1/2 hours later they hadn't started on her. When the vet called after the surgery she said that it was a cystic tumor with a lot of fluid, not quite what she had expected. It was encapsulated. Snowflakes temperature had gone down and didn't come up again fast enough. I got the dreaded call: Snowflake had died. I am absolutely heartbroken. What weighs most heavily on my conscience is the fact that I didn't stay in the Animal Hospital. It pains me so very much that she had to stay in an unfamiliar environment with strange people for such a long time. I trusted everybody and believed the vet who seemed to know quite a bit about these lovely creatures. I also believed that the surgery would take place according to schedule. I feel so guilty for having left her there. It gave me some comfort that she looked beautiful and peaceful in death.
We brought Snowflakes companion to our friends who also had just one rat left. I miss her, but it's better this way. I don't want her to get depressed.
Thanks for ploughing through all of this. It's long, but I know that you understand.

Take good care of yourself and your little critters,
Alma


Answer
I am so sorry for this.  You have no idea.

I am also really outraged too.  There is NO EXCUSE for her body temp to drop during surgery.  I want you to do me a favor and call the vet and ask what type of method of heating they used during surgery in order to prevent her body temp from dropping?  I have that listed on my critter city site under what to expect during surgery as one of the most CRICITAL things needed when a rat is operated on....either a heated table, a heating pad, even a hot water bottle with a TECH taking their temp CONSTANTLY during surgery.  THe rat should also be kept warm for several hours post op to be sure the temp is sustained upon waking from anesthesia.


http://www.sandyscrittercity.com/surgerysafteyrisks.htm


I am totally PI**ED OFF about this.   Who was the vet?  YOu can make our next message private and I will check this vets creds.  I am sick and tired of these vets LYING to us, making us think they are exotic specialists when they dont know sh*t about them.