Tumor #2

Question
QUESTION: Hello!
 One of my girly rats Faye-Faye has a tumor/cyst (not sure, it is very squishy) this will be tumor number two. Her first one was removed in December 31st, and she is a little over a year old. My question is, will it be too hard on her to have this 2nd tumor removed so soon?

ANSWER: How big is it?  


I would have it removed and have her spayed. Having her spayed will help lessen the chance of more tumors growing.  Usually when rats pass menopause around 18 months, the estrogen levels rise, which promotes growth of these mammary tumors.  She is still young enough that spaying may stop these tumors from growing back.

I would only opt for the surgery (tumor removal and complete spay) ONLY if the Vet is a skilled board certified exotic specialist or at the very least, one that has a strong interest in exotics with alot of extras under his or her belt such as attending workshops for exotics and keeping up to date on the most current treatments as well as having the proper implements needed for the safest surgery possible for your rat.

I would make sure her blood was tested before surgery also. How big was the last tumor that was removed and how long  was she under anesthesia?

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

QUESTION: Her first tumor was the size of a large grape, her tumor now is a little smaller than that. I am not sure how long she was under for her last tumor, I would say not very long since the vet I take her too is a skilled small animal vet.
         Thank you for your help! ^_^

Answer

I would let it get to about grape size, keep her on a good low protein diet, boost her iron content some and discuss spaying her as well so you can stop the ball rolling now or she will continue to sprout estrogen fueled mammary tumors.

The vet, you said, is a skilled small animal vet. Small animal vets are general vets for dogs and cats.  Exotic vets and the newest speciality, Exotic companion mammal specialist (who have yet taken their first exam yet but will be soon and I am super stoked over this!) is what I am talking about as far as vets go.   As long as the vet can handle a spay and they are able to keep her overnight since she will have two incisions etc... I would go for it within the next few weeks. You dont want the tumor to get so big that it becomes vascular and becomes a bit of a headache for the surgeon.  She can be under safely for up to 90 minutes on sevoflurane and at least 60 on isoflurane.  

I have had rats have surgery about 3 months apart and others that have brought them in to the clinic have waited at least 6 weeks. Sometimes its an emergency though and surgery is done back to back. I would see what your vet has to say too of course.  Is she healthy otherwise?


Check out my website about surgery and safety and also about mammary tumors.  

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