My rat has a lump...

Question

Clanger's Lump   QUESTION: I understand you probably get a lot of these types of questions. She is around a year and 4months old, otherwise good general health. But within a couple of days a lump around 1 & 1/2 cm appeared alongside her body just behind her left front leg. the lump itself is quite fleshy and doesnt feel attached to the body. it does get very slightly more solid inside though. you can move it away from the skin. I have been to a vet and they have advised me to have it removed. However from reading different opinions online (I am well aware they may not all by correct) it sounds more like an abcess in which case it does not need removing. Please help i do not want to put her through an unnessecary anaesthetic.
i have attached an image unfortunately she is a very timid rat and this is the best i could get!! Jaz

ANSWER:
If it is an abscess, it will come to a head soon. It usually forms a black scab and once that is picked off, pus usually comes out.  This sounds more like a mammary tumor because they are usually not attached to the body. This makes them very easy to remove, almost peeling it off. Think like it would be to have a wart removed. They are non invasive, all subcutaneous, but these tumors do pose a threat as they become larger. Rats cannot live with them when they get large and vascular.

A good vet is what you need, someone you trust and someone that is indeed educated and capable of rat surgery.  MAny vets say they see exotics but they have very little training  with them so if you want I can either check out the vet you see now or give you names of vets that are very capable of doing this surgery if it is indeed a tumor.  I would be happy if it  were an absess too, but from the photo I see a lump under the fur. An abscess usually is over the fur and you can see the flesh.  Do you see any scabs or anything on it?

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QUESTION: Now i did check to see if i could see any scabs on it and unfortunately there arent any.
Unfortunately i am in england so i dont know if you have any idea about vets reputations over here. But i am ringing around today to try and find a clinic that has more experience in rats. Thanks for your help

ANSWER: Actually I do have a database for the UK.  Where are you located?

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QUESTION: chelmsford in essex

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


I send alot of people here. This is a really good place for exotics!  Your rat will be in good hands here. Please let me know how it goes, and good luck to you. I am sure it will be removed very easily if it is indeed a tumor, which I do suspect it is.