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My rat has developed what I believe to be a cyst right behind her left shoulder. It is about the size of a grape. I played with her yesterday and didn't notice it so I believe it developed over night. When I move her skin the bump moves too so I think its right at the surface. Is there some oral medication I can give her to get rid of it? there are no vets in my area that deal with rats and even if there was I don't believe my dad would be willing to pay to go to a vet. I read that u can drain it but im unsure exactly what I should do. I have rubbing alcohol, Lysol and hydrogen peroxide but that's about it. I am willing to go to the pharmacy and buy whatever I have to to save her. I just need to know what i need. Also I have Tylenol pm ready to use if I need to sedate her but Im not sure how small I would need to cut it. I desperately need to know what I have to do in order to help her. She and her sister are my only pets and love them with all my heart.
Optional Information: Type of Animal: Rat Gender: Female Age: 19 months Name of Dog: shes a rat and her name is Star Already Tried: Nothing yet
Hello!Thank you for your question, I'm Dr. Dan and I'll try to help you.Does the cyst feel like it is a fluid filled structure or like it is a tiny water balloon? Does it feel squishy or firm? How long has it been developing? Is she losing hair in the area of the cyst? Dr. Dan
please remember she is a rat, as in a rodent, not a dog. I am very irritated that she keeps being put under the clasification of a dog. it feels firm and its definityly not like a water balloon even though its kinda in shape like a water ballon. and as a I said before its about the size of a grape so its pretty large I can take a picture of it if it would help. as I said before I played with her yesterday and didn't notice it so I believe it developed over night.no she is not losing hair but it hasn't been there that long
I also apologize that it keeps being classified as a dog I do know full well she's a rat sorry about the computer glitch. Very firm and rapidly growing structures like you are describing are almost always benign mammary tumors. Rats have mammary tissue covering 90% of their body (not just their belly) and benign mammary tumors are so common that any lump or bump on a rat of any age or sex is almost always a benign mammary tumor. Because it is benign then it just tends to grow and not spread and not cause other problems. As long as it doesn't bother her, she doesn't lose hair, and no sores develop on the mass there there is nothing you need to do or can do short of having a vet surgically remove it. If it felt like a water balloon then there is a chance we could drain it but if it's firm generally there is nothing to drain and nothing to be done short of surgery. Most rats live with these without surgery and live full uninterrupted lives. At this point just keep an eye on it and see a vet if sores or scabs develop or if she stops eating and drinking.
Hi April,I'm just following up on our conversation about shes a rat and her name is XXXX. XXX is everything going?Doctor Dan