Lump and misc.

Question
QUESTION: Hello I have a beautiful white rat named Chloe. My father saved her from a friend who didn't want her anymore and was gonna release her in the wild. So we took her in and we all love her but this last week a friend noticed she had a lump. I read your tumor page but didn't see anything that matched hers. Her lump seemed to have appeared out of no where. It's on her right rib cage area like dead center. I have felt it to inspect and it's very hard like a heart shaped rock about the size of a walnut half. It doesn't seem to be bothering her she is still a little speed demon and house keeper and it didn't seem to cause her any discomfort when I was inspecting it and even when I have it a little squeez she didn't think twice or try to bite or anything. So what are your thoughts? Also is it normal for rats to LOVE their cages? She seems to dislike being out of her cage and anytime she is out she just runs back to go inside and poke her head out. And when we put her in a running ball she always goes back to her cage. Any thoughts on that.

ANSWER: I am hoping this is an abscess....and oh, before I go on, thank you SO much for saving her. I cannot stand hearing how people would release a domesticated rat into the wild. She would surely die out there.

WHen you squeeze the lump did any pus come out of it?


Also, forget the running ball. rats hate them. They are way to smart for them and prefer to be with you instead.   Try reading my page on my critter city site called GETTING STARTED so you can see how to make a cardboard playpen for her to play in. SHe should not want to be in the cage but she prefers it over the ball.  Try making her a play area like I show on the website and I bet she loves running around in it. I make mine a huge 10foot circle and they can come out of the cage and play in the play area and go in the cage when they want.  Also see my set up on my page called WATCH MY BABIES GROW

Let me know what you think!

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

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QUESTION: When I squeeze it nothing comes out. It litteraly just feels like a rock.  And I will try that cardboard thing. We once put her in the backyard in a little flat grassy area and she just sat there and didn't explore but I will deffinatly try the cardboard play pin.  So I'll talk to my family about the tumor thing and try to get her to a vet. Thank you.

Answer
It may be a cyst or a tumor, but dont worry, they come off really easily. You need a really good vet though and they are hard to find when it comes to working with rats. If you want I can help you find a good one, just let me know your location. No obligation at all of course.