My Rat Has Lumps :(

Question
I have 2 rats which were both bought 14th February 2007 so are now over 2 years old. Just yesterday whilst both my rats were running around on the sofa my mother notcied a lump near Smokies (rats) back leg. Its located just on the inside and folds over her foot when she sits. But there is also another one right next to it hanging over the other foot they almost look like a male rats area. My father said its either a tumor, ascell or a phantom pregnancy but hes not sure. He thinks its a tumor because all his rats had it when he was young.
It hasnt affected Smokies personality at all. Shes always active. Very slim for a rat but shes still the greedier of the 2. She doesnt get too big though because she is always running around so it gets burned off easily. She seems to be getting on just as before. Shes very friendly still, nosey, she eats well ect ect and if you didnt see the lumps you wouldnt notice any change.

Here is just some info on my rats.

Smokie and Creamy are both around 2 years old and seem to be in perfect health altough creamy is much larger than Smokie. Creamy eats and then just sleeps. Shes very lazy but more affectionate than Smokie. She enjoys a cuddle whereas smokie enjoys a run.
They have a ferrets cage which has 6 floors. It has one big sleeping house. One small ball house and a little tent. They have a small water bowl on the top floor. a water bottle, rat nugget bowl and a treat bowl on the third floor and a large water bowl and a wooden climbing frame on the bottom. Their food is re filled when there isnt alot left and their water is changed every 2 days. Their cage is cleared every week end and is bedded with newspaper and soft fluff. The cage is located on the landing so its normally warm but if they appear hot like in the summer the window behind them is opened and a fan is put at a short distance from their cage.
In their food bowl is put rat nuggets which help keep their teeth blunter. and in the treat bowl in pur banana chips, small choclate drops (for rats) and some sun flower seeds.
They come out on the sofa everyday for at least an hour. We put an old cat box on the sofa which hasnt been used by any animal other than the rats and they can go in there when they want to. They usually have a treat every night when they come out which varies. It could be something sweet like half a biscuit each, cake, yoghurt, mousee, milkshake, cereal (Like just one dry piece of cereal) or something like rice (their fave) salad, little left overs from dinner mashed up. spaghetti, and another favourite brown bread crusts.

People do say our rats have the good life and I believe so.
Sorry is all this info isnt relevant I just thought.. well I dunno :S

If theres anything else you would like to know please just ask but Id really like your opinion on the lumps :(

I just love them soo much. Thanks, bye x
Leanne, 12

Answer
Hi Leanne

Thank you for sharing about your rats. I have three rats, all old men now.  The oldest is 3 years and 8 months old and his name is Bo. Oh wait, you can read all about them on my website and see their photos too.  I am going to send you to the site anyhow so you can read about mammary tumors, because this is what your rat has, I believe.

It is common in rats this age and they can safely be removed by a qualified vet that is certified to treat exotics.  I know its funny since rats are far from exotic animals, but exotics in the vet world simply means "not your ordinary household pet", such as a dog or cat.
Unfortunately, she is not bothered by them now but they will eventually cause problems with her walking and she will start to lose alot of weight as the tumors start to feed off of her body. She will not get the nutrition she needs to keep her vital organs such as her heart, kidneys and lungs healthy and will become weak and very frail and sick.
So its best to remove them soon as you notice them.  She is NOT too old to remove them so if any vet says she is, they are just looking for a way to avoid the surgery because chances are they cant do it but wont admit it.

You can see photos of tumors that other rats have had and also pictures of them removed, plus read more about what they are caused from.
The URL is:

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

Also, check out the page "ABOUT ME AND MY RATS" and there are photos of my three boys that I have now plus many past rats too.

I have a ferret nation cage and did have four males in it but now just one lives there.  It is as tall as a refrigerator and can house 15 rats with room to spare even though I would never suggest to keep that many in one cage.