Tumor or abscess, what should i do?

Question

picture of my rat, ol   QUESTION: I have Russian blue rat that i have had for about 9 months and over night a bump about the size of a pea appeared just below his left ear, he is still eating and drinking fine and it doesn't seem to be bothering him very much but I am wondering what it is and what I can do for it.

ANSWER: Looks like an abscess.  I would try to hold a warm cloth over the lump as best you can to loosen up any pus that is inside. Press under it gently but firmly, pushing inward and up and it may pop.  You may see a scab. If so, this is necrotic tissue, so pick it off and watch out, pus may ooze out.  Once this occurs, clean it out using saline solution and add a blob of antibiotic ointment.

Please keep an eye on it though as this is a place for zymbals gland tumor to develop, which acts like an abscess but never seems to heal. See my website and the page on tumors (at the bottom of the tumor page) there is info and photos on zymbals gland tumors.  Its too early to tell if this is what he has, and it seems to be a typical abscess, which is good news.  Please let me know how it goes.

Here is the URL to my site:

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/allabouttumors.htm

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QUESTION: Thank you so much for answering but I was wondering should i go to the vet to get this done if not what is the best way to hold the warm cloth on him, he doesnt stay still still easy

ANSWER:
You CAN go to the vets, but this is something that can be taken care of at home easily.   If he wont hold still for the compress, dont worry, it should come to a head on its own in another day or so.  The vet will lance it and charge you a small fortune, but if you feel better, by all means, see the vet.  I would never tell anyone not to.  Its how you feel about it that matters.

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oliver after surgery :   QUESTION: We just poped it out but it came out as a yellow mass and it seemed like dried puss or somthing, now he has an open wound about the size of a dime, it didnt bleed very much, but he really didnt like the antibiotic cream he licked it all off but he isnt messing with the wound very much. I hope i did it right, is it spose to be that way? i put in a picture of the wound does it look right? But again thank you soo much for the advice i think it worked!

Answer
Yup, its an abscess alright.  keep an eye on it though, as I stated earlier.  Lets make sure it heals good.  Keep it clean for him by putting saline solution or even clear clean warm water in it, squeezing a cotton ball over it to get it in, dabbing it dry and putting the medication in it.  It should close up good.  If it doesnt, that is when you need to see a vet...  

You did good!  I had a feeling it would pop for you. Was there a bad odor?