Your little companions sometimes have bumps on their bodies. It is necessary to bring them as soon as possible to the veterinarian in order to discover the cause and the type to be able to take care of it as quickly as possible. However, here are some tips that can help you learn more about these masses which are unfortunately quite common in rats.
Rat age: Mammary tumors can occur in young rats, but most often they occur after 18 months of age. Most cancerous tumors are found in rats over one year of age. In young rats, this is more likely to be an abscess first.
Size: Size of a pea, size of a walnut? The earlier a tumor is identified, the better, in order to have access to several options for treatment. Large tumors start to cut off the blood supply to surrounding tissues. Bumps of all sizes can be considered abscesses, they do not have fixed sizes.
Is there an entry wound: Is there a scab or “head” on the bump? If so, it is very likely that it is an abscess or a cyst.
Hard or soft: If the lump is soft, it may indicate an abscess or a benign tumor. If it is hard, it may indicate a bigger tumor or an abscess filled with pus, which indicates that the lump has been there for a while.
Solid or liquid: If you feel that the lump contains fluid, it is more likely to be an abscess.
Consistency: If you feel the lump to be uniform, it is probably an abscess or a benign tumor. If it feels like there are “little beads” in it, it could indicate a malignant tumor. These tumors with nodules tend to be more invasive. They are also more difficult to remove surgically because they are not well encapsulated.
Movement: Tumors that move freely, almost as if you can squeeze them out, are usually well encapsulated and can be easily removed by an experienced rat surgeon. Tumors that are more deeply connected are generally invasive and this is often indicative of a more serious type of tumor. Abscesses can vary depending on the properties of the pus from liquid to waxy. Your veterinarian may do a fine needle aspiration to determine if there is pus in the lump, which would indicate an abscess.
Smell: The abscess may have a foul odor associated with the bacterial infection, but it does not have to be the case. The tumors will not smell. A black line indicates necrosis or death of tissue. This can happen with either an abscess or a tumor, and requires the vet to debride tissue by trimming dead tissue until reaching healthy tissue so that necrosis does not spread.
Where is the lump? :
Most mammary tumors are located near the leg, in the genital area (inguinal mammary tissue), in the chest, or in the armpit (pectoral mammary tissue). However, any tumor on the underside of a female rat should be suspected to be a mammary tumor, as they have very diffuse mammary tissues.
A lump in the groin area of a male may be a tumor in the testes, prostate, or an abscess for a male who has recently been neutered. Males can get mammary tumors because they have pectoral mammary tissues.
A rat with a lump in the jaw, eyes, or ear area, regardless of the cause, should be taken to a veterinarian immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
If the lump is not in an area that contains mammary tissues, an abscess should be considered first.
Learn how to quickly detect the presence of a lump in your rat and consult a veterinarian for the appropriate treatment. Do not wait and make sure to put the odds on your side to be able to cure your little companion!
Writer: The FantasyShelter team in collaboration with Natasha Thibouthot (Founder of the “Heart Rat Quebec” Facebook group)
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