Tumor on 26 mo. old rat (Photo Update 04/12)

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Oh poor guy! :wrong: What a huge amount to deal with.

I've slowly been coming to terms with the decision as (you all know) I've been back and forth SO much on whether or not it should be removed. My father is now back in Toronto and I'm sure he'd do it if I asked him to but since we know it'll return (and will be really risky to remove) I'm not sure I could put Brie through it not knowing if I was giving her unnecessary misery. I think I'd rather her not have that extra month if it means undergoing all those risks and stress (for her). :undecided:
 
Bronwyn said:
Oh poor guy! :wrong: What a huge amount to deal with.

I've slowly been coming to terms with the decision as (you all know) I've been back and forth SO much on whether or not it should be removed. My father is now back in Toronto and I'm sure he'd do it if I asked him to but since we know it'll return (and will be really risky to remove) I'm not sure I could put Brie through it not knowing if I was giving her unnecessary misery. I think I'd rather her not have that extra month if it means undergoing all those risks and stress (for her). :undecided:
Click to expand...

I think you are making the right choice for your situation Bron. :) It's just so sad when they have these things and this thread has given us a bit of an outlet.

Hey what does your vet normally charge for Removals to the rest of us? :cheeky:
 
Lol!! Thanks Shelagh :D It truly helps to hear such things from other rat loving people. My dad did a physical on her today and he thinks the tumor has SHRUNK a bit and given her cheerful disposition he thinks I can expect longer than a month. :D He said it was hard to give a prognosis but she's definitely going to last longer than he thought. :D

Squee!
 
:D

I completely forgot to ask about what tumor removals cost, but I'll be talking to him later tonight so I'll ask! They have rat patients but they're certainly a minority so they're not specialists. If I didn't get free rat care there I'd likely check out your Dr. Munn!
 
Great to hear about Brie!!!! :love6: :bananas: :love6: :bananas: :love6:


On another note... can it be considered a "problem" when you wander into a store like Whole Foods, stick your face into their gourmet cheese section and think immediately on a RAT?

What really cracked me up was the fact that their imported French Brie was displayed with a Cranberry and Pepper Chutney.

don't even go there... :scolding: :laugh4:
 
I thought I should update about Brie! I suppose she's now about 26 months old now.

The tumor is larger, of course, but Brie's on Metacam to manage the pain. Her appetite is healthy but her attitude towards the rats just...sucks. She's still just fine with me, no change, still a sweet girl, but her sister is the only rat she can live with. She's aggressive towards Phoe and the little babies so those three are living together as that's really the only way to keep the peace.

Elphie's been giving the babies a tough time as well, just as a side note. The tension in the dynamic has me very nervous indeed! The babies are growing (Jo finally caught up to her sister) so I don't like them living in their baby cage, particularly with Phoe. They get along great as I mentioned the intro with Phoe could not have been smoother. But all the same it's too small now. They free range most of the day as that's the best I can offer them while Brie's alive it seems.

Should I be juggling the cages? Putting Elphie and Brie in the smaller cage and letting the younger three take the FN?

Oo, almost forgot to mention, the skin enveloping the tumor is quite scratched up still despite being on Metacam for a while. Do you think it's just irritation having a large lump in her way or pain? I haven't yet considered putting her down as her lack of tolerance for the young trio is the only indication she's not herself, and that I can eliminate.
 
I personally would probably put the younger girls in the FN, as they really need the room to move around. I guess that also depends on Brie and Elfie's current activity levels as well.
 
It seems like scratches. They're located on the side and on the back, where her hind foot wanders quite often. It's not touching the ground though, when she walks. Some areas scabbed a bit but they seem like claw marks to me.

Brie is rather inactive and has been for quite some time. She'll wander around the room for five minutes but will put herself back in her cage and just hang out by the door watching the others. She's certainly interested and attentive, just not physically moving as much as the others. Elphie's still pretty active but nothing compared to the three girls.
 
Looks like you should trim the nails on that side. I often scratch around the tumor where she cannot reach herself...you'll often get licked in return because it just feeels sooo good! :D
 
LOL. I didn't even think of that. :doh: Would nail scissors suffice? I can't even find the nail clipper for my cat, lol.

Thanks for the suggestion! :)
 
It turns out my housemate has some...and we're both really afraid of the process, haha. I've trimmed dog nails but in my experience at the clinic, the smaller they are, the more likely I'll hit the quick and I don't have that magic powder stuff they apply if we get a bleeder. Brie's not one to be still when I'm playing with her paws, lol.
 
Ooo you know that's bad. Calculus stinks more than clipping nails. 0.0 LOL

Hope it goes well! You shouldn't have too much of a problem. :)
 

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