Strange growth on rat

Question
QUESTION: My rat, Scott, has developed a strange growth. The growth is located just about in the center of his right side. Its a hard, curved stick almost a few centimeters long. Its a grayish color, and there's a cluster of three of these "sticks," one being considerably longer than the others. It doesn't feel connected to anything under his skin, and he didn't seem in discomfort when I poked at it. It seems to be pushing through his skin. I have no idea what it is, but I'm worried it could be dangerous.


My beefy boy   ANSWER: Hi Eli

Can you take a photo of it an attach it here?  You can attach it to this after you hit PREVIEW and there will be another page that comes up where you can hit ATTACH and browse your files and select the photo and thats all.   I will attach a photo now for an example.  I am wondering if he doesnt have an abscess and the gray color may be the start of necrotic tissue.  If thats the case, its not a danger at all and can be taken care of pretty easily.  Even if it was some tumor or growth, an exotic vet can remove these pretty easily.

Looking forward to hearing back from you. Hang in there!  
Oh btw, how old is he and does he live alone?




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

QUESTION: Well just now I gave it a tug and it came out along with a small bit of flesh. It turns out what it was was a finger lodged in his side! I do not understand how this happened. One of his fingers is indeed missing. I cleaned the hole where the nail had been with hydrogen peroxide. He didn't seem to feel any pain even when I pulled it out. The bleeding has mostly stopped and he seems unconcerned. I am baffled as to how he managed to stab himself and then tear his finger off, though.

Answer
Are you serious? That is wild!  I hope you took pictures!!!!!!

Be easy with the peroxide, this can  damage tissue. What you can use is saline solution and neosporin.  

Does he live alone? Did he have a fight? Is it just a nail or an entire digit?