Cyst or a tumor? Should I be worried?

Question
My rat, Socrates, has just formed a cyst like thing right on her neck, sort of at her jawline. It grew rapidly over a matter of two days. When I noticed a huge change yesterday, the cyst seemed to have a scab over it, yet it didn't appear to ever have been popped. Today, it seemed to have popped, but I don't think the pus was completely released from it. The pus was slightly yellowy-green in color (not too green). She didn't appear to be in any pain when we touched the wound with a warm, clean washcloth. I didn't want to make matters worse by squeezing anything else out of it.

I was reading up on your webpage about tumors and other horrible things, and I worry. I have no idea what to do about this cyst. I scheduled a trip to the vet for tomorrow, but after reading a majority of people's vet responses, I don't have high hopes for my response.

What should I do?

Answer
Relax, its an abscess. You dont have to go to the vet if you really dont have the best vet in the world or the money in the bank to do it.
Clean it out, squeeze it gently for her and apply either saline solution or hibicleanse and pat dry if she lets you. Add neosporin ointment and I promise you it will start to heal within a few days if its simply a regular abscess. Tumors in females are common, that is, mammary tumors. This is not in the area that is common for a tumor to grow but it is a prime location for an abscess to grow which is what she has due to the fact there was pus in it etc...and same for cysts, they are also not common in that area.   So this is good news for you and your rat and I am almost 99.9% positive that this is what she has.