Cleaning Bloody Tumor

[dawnmb57]

During the last vet trip, my vet diagnosed a bloody tumor in my rat's ear and suggested I put her down. She still has an enthusiasm for life and a huge appetite so I am not going to follow that advice.

Meanwhile, what can I do to keep her ear more comfortable. It keeps growing a huge scab which I have pulled out a couple of times but of course it causes the tumor to bleed. Is that okay? Should I use some kind of oil to soften it enough to remove it regularly?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Sheldon]

Usually tumours in that area are lethal and very painful. If your rat seems happy and unaffected at the moment I’d say there is no reason for euthanasia yet. I would not advise pulling on the scab.

 

[dawnmb57]

Usually tumours in that area are lethal and very painful. If your rat seems happy and unaffected at the moment I’d say there is no reason for euthanasia yet. I would not advise pulling on the scab.

Thank you. Giving arnica 6X for the pain. Should I take her to a different vet for pain medication?

 

[Sheldon]

You might be able to ask your current vet. It would be nice if you could get her on some a Meloxicam.

 

[jorats]

I agree with getting her on metacam/meloxicam for pain management and I also agree to leave the tumour alone.

 

[dawnmb57]

Thanks to both of you I will get her to a new vet and I might have some meloxicam. I will check. She ate so much yesterday, like a little pig and enjoy being brushed. It's hard to believe she's having any pain. I know rats hide it but I've had nearly 150 or more in my rescue and never seen anything like this. She is 4 years old too.