sudden giant tumor on neck

[sweetcherrykai]

So I was looking at my rats today and I noticed one of them has this giant tumor on her neck! I didn’t notice when I handled her yesterday, it’s like it appeared over night. Is it maybe her lymph nodes? Any advice?

 

[lilspaz68]

I am watching all health posts for any signs of SDA virus and that big round lump in the middle of her throat is classic. Now I start the questions

Have you brought in any new rats recently? Have you handled strange rats then gone home and handled your own within 3-4 hours after? Have you been to the vets in the last week or so, petstore, etc?

Just in case I will give you more info on if it is SDA Virus (very contagious rat coronavirus)...do you have other rats at home?

I will post a pic of Clare's the largest I had seen before. Usually they are smaller

may16Clarethroatlump.jpg

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Watch her eyes for any facial swelling, connective tissue in the front of the eye being visible

feb24Adellaseyes_zpsd83d3d70.jpg

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Also hold her sides to your ears and listen to her breathing. SDA doesn't always give them noisy breathing but constricted where the lungs aren't getting enough air.

I'll wait to hear what your answers are...

 

[sweetcherrykai]

oh no!! to answer your questions, no i haven’t handled or bought any new rats recently. I did go to the pet store 2 weeks ago but just to buy litter and dog food. I have two other rats whom she has lived with for about a year but i don’t see lumps on them. she’s been near my dog, but that’s not new. my roommate did foster kittens the past month but they were kept out of my room. should i separate her from my other rats?? Her face doesn’t seem swollen. Her breathing did seem a little more noisy compared to my other two rats. thank you so much for your helpful information

 

[lilspaz68]

No need to separate as the others have been exposed. So you have to keep an eye on all your rats now for any sneezing, crackling, wheezing or constricted breathing. Get used to ratphoning everyone every day for the next week or so as by then you will know if you have contracted it or not. If any rats start to get sick, consider them exposed and you are in lockdown for a month. Let me know if this happens and I'll explain that part better. Basically YOU can be a vector to bring the virus to other rats/people who own rats. The virus can live off its host rat for 3 hours and this is when you try not to transmit it.

 

[lilspaz68]

You can give infant ibuprofen for the swelling in the face and neck to help bring it down. This symptom usually resolves in 4-5 days.

 

[sweetcherrykai]

You can give infant ibuprofen for the swelling in the face and neck to help bring it down. This symptom usually resolves in 4-5 days.

Thank you so much for your helpful information! I’ve been trying to do some research and from what I’ve read the virus has no treatment and must run its course. However, it mentions antibiotics to help with an resulting bacterial infections. Do you recommend vet intervention for antibiotics? I know that if I call an exotic vet they’ll of course tell me it’s necessary, and I don’t want to put them all on strong antibiotics if it’s not necessary.

 

[lilspaz68]

Antibiotics don't work o the virus but it sheds in a week and this is when those nasty secondary infections come in. Starting all.symptomatic rats on antibiotics right away allows the concentrations in the body build up enough to be effective (usually a few days or more).
If you aren't sure yet, check your own med cupboard for leftover antibiotics you could use. Things like zithro, Augmentin (clavamox), ciprofloxacin can all be used with rats.
IF your rats all start getting sick you can go to the vet to get antibiotics or you can order online (without a prescription) if you live in the US.

 

[sweetcherrykai]

Thank you so much for this valuable information! I’ll make sure to do as you recommended and to keep a close eye on her the following weeks.