My pet fancy rat has developed a lump on its neck, what is it?

Question

About a month ago my rat, Oreo, got a small wound on her neck that looked like a circle, and I just thought she got bit by my other rat, Noble. But now Oreo has a large lump on her neck where the bite was. Is it just an infection, or is it some kind of worm or parasite?

Thanks!

Answer 1

ITs almost certainly an abcess see http://ratguide.com/health/integumentary...

Answer 2

It's something a vet needs to look at if you really want to know what it is and not let the rat suffer!  We can't guess a diagnosis on the internet and it would be very dangerous to try.

Answer 3

When I had a mouse, she got bit on her neck by a gerbil. The wound healed(sort of) and about a month or two later, I started noticing a slight bump on her neck. It grew bigger and so I looked it up. It was a tumor and she ended up passing away after 6 months.

So what your rat may have is a tumor, but I may be wrong. I have never owned a rat before, but mice are close aren't they? I am sorry to hear about your rat, as it might be a tumor. You should get that checked out by a vet. But if you live near me, you will have to search far and wide for a small animal vet.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND OREO!!!!

Answer 4

This is definitely something a vet needs to look at.  No one is going to be able to diagnose your rat over the internet.

My guess (and it's only a guess) is that this would be an abscess.  If that's the case the vet may drain it and then prescribe antibiotics.

Take a look at this info:

http://ratguide.com/health/integumentary...

Answer 5

it may be cancer.. I had a pet rat as a teen i named him Sam. he got a lump on his foot and it slowly got bigger and he started chewing on it to get it off.. Blah blah blah it got BAD.. anyways he died of cancer with half a foot chewed off. Towards the end he just layed there and didnt move much.. same thing happend to my friends rat.. Never got over it.

Answer 6

It may be an infection from the bite, an abcess, or a tumour, or I don't think it would be a parasite, but it could be.

Also, not to be nosy, but why didn't you take your rat to the vets EarthGirlwantzPeace? It's against the law: When your pet has a medical condition and you don't take it to the vets, you are neglecting it's medical needs; and thus breaking one of the five freedoms. It's cruel, and the rat could have been in extreme pain!

Anyone who takes on a pet and does not accept responsibility for their pets' needs does not deserve to have a pet.

You should take your rat to the vets, and hopefully they can treat it and make your rat healthy and happy again! =] Also, you have to as the law states so =p.

Answer 7

It either could be an abcess or a tumour. To get a proper diagnosis you should take it to the vet.

                                       Abcesses

I read this from a book called "The Proper Care Of Fancy Rats" by Nick Mays:

If an abcess does develop, this will need draining regulary. A piece of tissue paper will suffice. Gently squeeze the pus out of the abcess and bathe the area with warm water. A good measure is to apply a couple of drops of hydrogen peroxide to the open cavity. The hydrogen peroxide will start to bubble on contact with the infected tissue and will force the remaining pus out of the cavity. Continue to "drain and flush" daily, until all the pus is gone and a scab forms over the new flesh.

                                    Tumours

Sadly tumors are very common in rats and some can be both painful and cause discomfort. There are two different types of tumours: Benign tumours and Malignant.

I also read this from the same book:

Begnign are generally harmless, being quite soft to touch. It is possible to put one`s finger fingers around the tumour and touch the finger together, as the tumour will not be attached to any underlying bodily tissues. Benign tumours can, however, grow verylarge and painful if untreated. The tumur can be surgically removedby a vet and, on most occasions, the rat will make a full recovery. However, having suffered from a tumour once, it is quite possible that a rat will develop further tumours. If the rat is elderly , it is kindest not to subject stressful surgery. If the tumours cause it discomfort, it may be kindest to have it put to sleep.

Maglignant tumours are faster growing than benign tumours. They are hard to touch and are attached to underlying bodily tissues. They can occur basically anywhere on a afflicted rat, the most common areas aareas being the flanks, stomach, throat and under the armpits. They are, of course, cancerous and have a terrible debilitating effect on the rat. There is no kindness in having such tumour removed, as the cancer will spread and will have already affected other parts of the rat`s body anyway. The rat will suffer a good deal of discmfort, so it is best to have it put to sleep. Quite often, tumours are genetic origin, so if you have a bloodline that is prone to tumour, it is best to discontinue the line.

Answer 8

Is Oreo quite old?

If Orea is it might be a tumor, or cancer.

Take her to the vet.

If its just an infection, the vet will be able to prescribe some medication, if its cancer or a tumor... well she will probably have to be put to sleep =[

Im sorry, I hope Oreo get well soon, nd the best of look to you x

Answer 9

Its proably a infection. you might need to go to a vet