Rat Tumor Removal

Pet rats are prone to getting tumors and other abnormal growths during their short life spans, but most tumors are benign and therefore relatively harmless. These abnormal and excessive growths can become a nuisance even when they are not cancerous, however, and so it is generally recommended that they be removed provided that the rat is healthy enough to survive the surgical procedure involved.

  1. Tumor Symptoms

    • Tumors can present in different ways in rats, but they typically have a few similar symptoms. For example, many tumors appear as abnormal growths that are soft and can be easily moved, while others are firm and seem to be attached to the skin or inside the body of the fat. Some tumors present as abscesses or skin ulcerations that refuse to heal with normal treatment. Tumors may also present with changes in how the rat eliminates, problems with coordination and mobility, vision issues, bleeding, distention or enlargement in the abdomen or appetite and weight loss issues.

    Diagnosis

    • The diagnostics process differs greatly, depending on what symptoms the rat presents, but usually begins with a physical examination and palpation to locate the presence of a tumor. Hematology and chemistry, ultrasonography and radiographic studies may also be used to determine the presence and nature of a tumor. The veterinarian may also excise a part of the tumor to examine it more closely before a proper diagnosis is made.

    Treatment

    • The recommended treatment for all tumors in rats is surgical removal, assuming that the rat is healthy enough to survive the process. This is especially important when the tumor is still small enough to excise completely. If the tumor is too large for a complete removal, then a veterinarian still may recommend a partial removal, especially if this offers increases in mobility or comfort for the patient. Surgical procedures are painful for the rat, and so pain medication must be administered during and after the surgical procedure based on the anticipated pain severity.

    Aftercare

    • After the surgical procedure, the veterinarian will prescribe a pain reliever, especially for the first 24 hours following the operation. The most common pain reliever for rats is butorphanol, though banamine, carprofen or meloxicam may also be prescribed. Some veterinarians may also prescribe a steroid like dexamethasone or prednisone, which can help to reduce swelling in specific types of tumors. After the surgery, care must be taken to avoid infection and so broad spectrum antibiotics may also be prescribed.

    Prognosis

    • Tumor removal offers a positive prognosis for most patients, especially when the tumor is benign. The outcome often includes an increase in mobility and comfort, improvements in quality of life and pain relief after the operation. Partial tumor removal may offer a similar prognosis and outcome, especially in terms of increased mobility and comfort. In malignant tumors, the prognosis is typically positive, unless the tumor metastasized prior to removal, in which case further surgery may be required.