Posible Zymbal's Gland Tumour?

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RatMomZ

Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2018
Messages
16
Location
UK
Hi all,

Sadly back again looking for advice for Ghost. She started losing weight last week, with a swelling to the side of her face, and a lump on her jaw.

Took her to the vet 02/11 because she developed balance issues and have had her on enrobactin and metacam since then.

Swelling to the face has improved, but she is very wobbly still, the mass is still on her jaw and she struggles to eat, though she is eager for food. She is still grooming, but her coat is off and she's very cuddly which is also not her - she's my little monkey rat who tries to climb everything.

Revisited the vet last night (05/11) and the vet thinks it could be a Zymbal's gland tumour, but without further investigation and research isn't 100% sure.

Just wondering if anyone has had experience with these sorts of tumours and could advise on the best way forwards? Have agreed with the vet last night that we will give it a few more days and decide whether to aspirate, operate, or leave her until it's time to say goodbye.

She doesn't seem to be in too much pain, just frustrated that she can't get where she wants to go. She also seems to know when she needs to relieve herself but can't always get back to the cage or carry case fast enough which again is unlike her.

Thanks in advance

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ZGT or Zymbal's Gland Tumor usually presents as a lump/abscess directly under the ear. You said the lump is on her jaw? The pics aren't helping to see where its located. Could you maybe use a simple program like Paint and circle where the swelling is?

Maybe a video or pics of her trying to move around might help us too?
 
Sorry yes it is directly below her ear. The below is slightly unfocused but it does show how big the area around where her jaw hinges is.

Will try to get a video of her walking later. She's currently hiding and I don't want to stress her out too much.
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Actually you're right, I looked through the other ZGT posts last night and I don't think it is that anymore. It's definitely not progressed the same.

Felt the mass again tthis morning, now the swelling has reduced around it and it is on her jaw line.

Only problem is she's been choking and struggling to breathe on and off since night. She seems to spend about an hour doing the choking cough type movement then sorts herself out and quietens.

This morning her nose and under her jaw were covered in porphyrin. Getting her to a vet this morning, though she still fights me when I try to clean her nose. Managed to get some videos.

Ghost coughing (?)


Ghost's breathing after coughing(?) bout
 
ZGT or Zymbal's Gland Tumor usually presents as a lump/abscess directly under the ear. You said the lump is on her jaw? The pics aren't helping to see where its located. Could you maybe use a simple program like Paint and circle where the swelling is?

Maybe a video or pics of her trying to move around might help us too?

Thanks lilspaz68 for your help. After seemingly improving yesterday I had to let her go this morning. Will miss her but she just got worse and worse between my posting earlier and 9am.
 
My guess without seeing her but from her symptoms (and past experiences) is that she had a mass growing internally that blocked her airway. The part you could see was probably less than was growing inside her body (like an iceberg). I am so very sorry, but it sounds like you did the right thing for your Ghost :(
 
I think you're right, haven't asked the vets to do a post mortem or anything but will keep that in mind if I ever have a similar issue with another baby. Proud of her for fighting it the whole way. It's stranger than I thought it would be without her cheeky little face. Thank you ❤
 
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