Tumours in Rats

Tumours (tumors) are very common in rats, particularly females, and around 99% are benign - not cancerous. These fatty lumps are not life threatening unless they affect the major organs. They can be removed quite easily by a vet who is experienced in small animal surgery. The smaller the lump the simpler the procedure and the less time your rat will be under anesthetic. It's always a good idea to check out your local vets before you actually need them. Ask around or check out Rat Planet's recommended vet list. 

 

The most common tumours are mammary, and are usually found under the armpits, in the groin and along the underbelly. Check your rat regularly so that you will spot any lumps and bumps as soon as they appear. 

 

If you find a lump try to move it around with your fingers. If it feels soft and appears to move around freely in the skin (not attached to any bone or muscle) then it's almost certainly benign. If, however, the lump feels hard and solid, it may well be malignant and you should have it checked out by your vet right away. If it's cancerous it must be completely removed as soon as possible. This is where it's so important to have an experienced veterinary surgeon. If any of a cancerous tumour remains, it will usually return and grow - with a vengeance. 

 

Virtually all of my female rats have had mammary tumours, and all but one were benign and easily removed. My tiny little Himalayan doe, Phoebe (pictured to the left) had cancer. The lump you see at the back of her head was a floppy, fatty lump and gave her no trouble. Unfortunately, she also had a lump a little way to the front of her groin. This lump grew very fast and felt completely different to any I had ever seen before. It was hard and solid. I couldn't move it around or even hold it between my fingers. I knew at once that this was not good even though Phoebe seemed well and didn't appear to be in any pain or discomfort. 

 

I took Phoebe to see our vet the next day, who removed every tiny piece he could but warned me that it would return, and it would be nasty. Thankfully, for the first time ever - he was wrong! Little Phoebe still had her cushion, as we called the fatty lump behind her head, but the cancer never returned. She took Tamoxifen every day after the surgery, and I gave her flaxseed oil (linseed oil) on her porridge every morning and on her brown rice each evening. Complementary treatments are well worth a try, and I still believe the flaxseed oil played a part in keeping the cancer at bay. Apart from that ... she loved it's nutty flavour!

 

Prevention is always better than cure, and spaying may help prevent mammary tumours occurring in the first place, although this can't be guaranteed. You have to weigh up the pros and cons of such major surgery. A healthy, organic, low fat diet will give your rat a fighting start. Male rats are less likely to develop tumours, but not all are so lucky, as you can see from Lester's story below. 

 

Sadly, not all benign tumours are harmless. Some can grow so big that they are almost bigger than the rat itself and are impossible to remove. 

Lester (pictured here) was not even a year old when he was rescued. He had been living, although I use that word loosely, in a cage outside in the wind and rain. He was covered in mites and carried this lump around. Any food he was given was going to feed the lump, leaving him skin and bone. By the time he was rescued it was too late to remove the tumour. It was so big and invasive that it affected his breathing and heart. After just one night of being loved, spoiled and snuggled at the rescue, Lester had to be put to sleep. Such torture to a young rat!

 

This was cruelty beyond words to a small, sick animal. He was young, and the lump must have been growing for months. Had it been removed when it was small, Lester may have gone on to find some love in his life. It makes me spit!!!!

 

If you have had success with any complimentary or natural treatments, please email me.

 

Copyright 2004 H.J. Tomlinson (Rat Planet)