Re: Rat lumps

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

My 16-18 month old rat is going in for her 3rd lumpectomy on Monday to remove 2 more lumps, in the same place as where her last one was. It's near to her groin. The vet thinks that she is suffering with mammory tumours, and as this is her 3rd op since April you can tell how fast more lumps appear. They are really fast growing too.

Lupron has been mentioned, also spaying. I'm inclined to perhaps lean towards trying Lupron injections once a month, but do you know what the dose is? Also any evidence of success rates in stopping the growths or slowing them right down?

Any advice is very welcome, as something must be done to stop my poor ratty having to go through these ops as she has been the past few months.

Thankyou

ANSWER: I would go with the lupron. Lupron depot is a once a month injection and it is used to halt the production of estrogen, which fuels the growth of these tumors. Spaying at this point may help, but its not a real guarantee either....but the best way for spaying to work in regards to stopping the growth of these tumors is to spay at a very young age.

Please read my website about mammary tumors. It explains the way they grow and also talks about using lupron and its success rate. I have had great success with lupron.  Where are you located? I am impressed your vet uses lupron.  Not many vets are aware of its use and often its like pulling teeth to get someones vet to even consider using it when I suggest it to people that write to me about mammary tumors etc..

thanks for writing. I look forward to hearing back from you!

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QUESTION: Thanks so much for your fast reply. I'm glad you said go with the lupron. I'm based in Northamptonshire, UK. My vet has used the lupron on her ferrets before they were able to get spayed, hence her suggesting it for my rat. I'm also glad to hear that you have had great success with the monthly injection, I had also read that spaying is more successful the younger the rat.

Will let you know how it goes!

ANSWER: Ah yes, Lupron is widely used for ferrets, esp in treating adrenal disease. In the US, like I said, its tough getting Vets, esp non exotic vets that have not done their homework on rat care, to use Lupron on the rats.  I am a huge advocate for its used.
Good luck and yes please keep me posted!

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

QUESTION: Do you have any advice on dosage?

Also, my other female rat suffers with respiratory. She's just finished a 30 day course of baytril/doxy combo, along with 2 steroid injections which were 3 weeks apart. I really believe it's the steroids that have helped her the most, just because of how her health has been. Any advice on what to do next, as I think once I stop giving her the abs and steroids she'll go downhill again. She's about 16-18 months old too. The vet has suggested maybe trying sinulox next, what do you think? And is it ok to continue the steroid injections for a while?

Thanks for your help with the lupron info, it's been very helpful and it's made my mind up for sure that that's the route to take :-)  

Answer
Hi

The dose depends on the weight of the rat and I am not sure how much to use etc... since it is the Vet that determines that.  My math stinks, too.  LOL

ALso, about the respiratory problems. She probably has some scarring in her lungs if she has had chronic lung problems. The steroids  give her alot of relief.  I would suggest trying the other medication along with the steroids, see how that works out.

Problem is, long term steroid use can present some problems such as weakening the immune system and leaving the rat open to secondary infection, but the benefits outweigh the risks and without them,
you rat may have died by now.

Is your vet an exotic vet?