tumor versus abscess

Question
QUESTION: Hello; I know you have answered similar questions, but if you don't mind this is my very first pet rat.  She is almost three and I have had her for several months.  I just noticed a walnut-sized mass yesterday between her right leg and midline.  The first thing I thought was mammary tumor, but now I just read about abscesses.  I tried to get a picture of it this morning, but failed.  It is rather soft and dangling; I cannot really tell if it moves under the skin.  It is almost the size of a walnut, but is hanging loose under the skin, not protruding hard through the skin. She seems the same activity, weight and appetite-wise.  It is not tender when I touch it or when I pick her up.  I highly doubt there is any wound inn that area.  Oh-no scabs or anything; just clean fur.  No pus, no bleeding, no porphyrin.  But it seems to have happened almost overnight.  But then, I may not have noticed it as it it is pretty out of sight until she stands up. I would rather not take her in to a vet, but if I do I like to know ahead of time what can be gained and how.  It is more that than the money which too is a concern.  Would they aspirate her if i took her in and would that definitively tell us abscess and no tumor?  I no little about these animals--read almost everything I could this morning.  If I let it run its course and it is an abscess could it erupt and she could be alright, or do they often lead to whole body sepsis?  So if yes then is it critical to give a rat oral antibiotics for an abscess? I do not ask for any guarantees from you, just info about how tell what it might be, and how these things often develop, maybe what you would do if you were me. I am open to any of your advice and information.  Even with my dogs; I do not neglect them, but I try to spare myself and them! trips to the vet when I can. I knew when I rescued this rat (she is a dear by the way) that our time could be very short. But of course I want to do what I can and should. Thank you very much, Kathryn

ANSWER: Check out my site on mammary tumors.   At her age, I would be iffy about removing it unless your sure she has always been healthy.

You need a great vet though, not just a vet that sees rats.  Also, let me know your area and I will give you names of good vets.

Here is the URL for my site and the page on mammary tumors:

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/allabouttumors.htm
It sounds like a mammary tumor, not an abscess.

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QUESTION: Wow; thank you for your rapid response. I live in Hershey, PA.  I like my current vet for my dog and they see rats, but I do not know if I should mention her by name, so I will leave it at that and see who you might have for my area.  Thank you for the web-site link. I am pretty sure I do not want to put her through surgery.  Do I need to go to a vet now just for diagnosis confirmation or can I wait for problems I cannot manage, ie pain meds or something?  Thanks again, Kathryn

Answer
This is the best I can find without you driving two hours to an exotic hospital.



Dr. Carla Kasaback
East York Veterinary Center    
1997 Industrial Highway
York PA 17402
Phone:    717-840-1025


Again, I would be leary about surgery for her without the vet being a really good exotic vet. However, the place above even has a critcal care ward for small mammals which is really good to have.