I think my rat may have a tumor.

Question
can you tell me the mixture that you used to find out if your rat has a tumor. because i believe that my rat junior is growing a tumor on top of his head. i would like to know before it has a chance to become a big problem i just noticed it today. and i would hate to lose him im sure his brother and sister feel the same way. If you know how much would it cost to have a vet take a check up to see from their opinon? thank you for your help. junior is only a year old and i cant stand the thought that he might die soon.

Answer
Hi Sapphire

First of all, I need to know if it is soft and squishy and easy to move or is it hard and feel attatched to his head real tight?

Is there a scab on it?

It may be an abscess instead of a tumor. One way to find out is to hold a warm compress on his head or take an old sock, fill it with rice and put it in the microwave for a few seconds to get the rice heated up. Hold the rat and cuddle him and hold the warm compress on the lump. Do this several times a day and see if it comes to a head. If it does, it will need to be expressed so you will need to prepare yourself to drain this thing but it wont hurt the rat so dont worry.  We will cross that bridge when we get there though and I will tell you how to clean it all out once we find out if its an abscess or not.
A scab may also form and if so, gently pick that off too. It may also have pus in it and if it does, let me know.

However, if this is a tumor, it can be removed easily if you have it done right away before it   gets big. You will need a good exotic vet that sees rats though or  it will be risky for your rat.
Prices vary, depending on where you live etc... For example, the cost of living is higher in California and New York than it is in many other states and other countries may have more expensive vets too so it varies. I can give you a rough estimate and say it may be anywhere from $75 to $200 to have it removed with the average being aroud $125.

If you dont have a vet. let me know your location and zip code or city and state etc....and I will find one for you. I can locate them also if you live in Canada or the UK etc...so let me know either way.

Hang in there...once you try the compress we will know more about it.


Sandy