The Dustman has a Lump - ZGT... RIP

I'm sorry. Sending the sweet boy loads of kisses. I hope he has some quality time left with you.

Joanne said:

That sucks. How is he feeling? Is he acting normally or is he showing signs of pain/balance issues? Does he have more time with you?

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He is nervous and shy, and worried I will do horrible things to him again. He's not showing any signs of pain yet...he seems normal for Dusty so far, so we'll see what happens. I will keep documenting so we can watch it progress. It will be a complete thread on it. :sad3:

:hugs: :hugs: :hugs:

I'm really sorry, Shelagh... I was so hoping it would only be an abcess! At least, it doesn't seem to bother them too much - until the pressure is too strong. And unlike me, you know and are convinced this is not an abcess, so you will know when to let him go... with Charlie, my vet was so convinced it could only still be an abcess that I dragged him too long. :sad3:

Poor baby... good luck Dusty.... :heart:

When I saw that it burst (even with the amount of blood), I was still praying for an abscess. With the necrotic tissue under... Tumour suck! This is exactly how Arthur's progressed, and even after it burst, he was still a happy boy for quite some time before it finally took him. Hope you two have the same time left too.

Oh wow the side angle is worse than it looked with the straight on shot. I didnt know it had something hanging out.


Does it hurt him at all? are you keeping him on pain meds to control it?

So sorry, don't know how you get through all this :cuddle:

Just documenting the tumour's growth.





He's happily running on the floor now

I'm glad he's still feeling OK and enjoying life.

It is staying relatively small so I am hoping for a longer life than I was expecting for Dusty.

It bleeds easily, I think he tries to scratch his ear and bumps it, but this is what it looks like now.





and a closeup

Such a wonderful little boy!'
So very sorry that he is going through this

He looks like such a sweet rat, too bad he has to go through this.

Brave boy :heart:

Oh lord... what a beautiful boy, I'm so sorry for him & you that this has stricken him.. But so glad he finds comfort in you. And it must give you comfort thru this to know that if you can't fix it physically at least your love is emotionally healing for him. I expect you both find strength as well as comfort in loving each other. I will pray for Dusty's comfort, and yours.

Relieved that he is getting a little longer than you had hoped. It's an ugly tumour.

May he remain pain-free.

Godmother said:

Relieved that he is getting a little longer than you had hoped. It's an ugly tumour.

May he remain pain-free.

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Yes, this.

Its growing very very slowly, so this is a good thing...I have heard of rats being diagnosed and having to be pts in a week, so yay for this! :joy:

Can these tumors not be removed because of their close proximity to the brain and cranial nerves? I wonder if applying some colloidal silver drops might help? I've heard wonders about them and have used them myself and have found them to be helpful with any kind of wound.

These situations are awful. I'm glad that it is very slow-growing and that he's still very happy. He is a well-loved rattie who has having a wonderful life with you, no matter his circumstances, and I'm sure he knows you are doing everything you can for him. These situations can be harder on us than on them sometimes, I think, because animals so often just 'go with the flow' and, unless they are in pain, don't fret over their issues like we do.

Hugs to you both. :hugs:

He actually looks very good! I'm so happy this is slow growing and not bothering him! Keep on trooping Dusty! :thumbup:

Not to come off as being morbid, but I'm amazed the dustman is still around. three cheers for slow growth and good care!