My old rat's tumor fell off but is hanging by skin. What should I do?

I'm sorry Lorenzo has a tumor. Unfortunately, rats in general, especially older rats, have a predisposition to developing tumors both benign and malignant. His prognosis depends on the type of tumor as well as its location. To determine either, he would need to be physically examined by your veterinarian and have diagnostics performed. This could include blood work, x-rays, abdominal ultrasound or a fine needle aspirate of the mass. Once you have this information, you can discuss all options with your vet. Good luck!

Unfortunately, senior rats are predisposed to developing malignancies late rin life. To confirm this, you will need to have Dobby examined by your veterinarian. A fine needle aspirate can be done in the clinic to collect samples for pathology. Once results are returned, you can discuss treatment options with your vet. Monitor for bleeding, ulceration, odor, lethargy or decreased appetite. Keep him on paper towels and change them daily or as needed to keep the area clean and dry.

Hi there, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear about your lumpy rat friends. Small lumps (less than 1cm) in the skin that have a brown spot or head on them might be sebaceous cysts - a common condition in male rats where a gland in the skin gets clogged and swells with cheesy, white-yellow material. You mentioned that these lumps are soft and under the skin, however, which makes me think of another kind of lump. I don't see that you mentioned their ages, but if they are older rats (over 1.5-2 years old), I do start to worry about mammary tumors (yes, even in males!). These are extremely common in rats as they age, and may be benign or malignant, and may need to be removed, especially if they get large. I strongly suggest that these boys get evaluated by a vet to determine what these lumps are. There is a vet that sees rats near you - here is their info: Acacia Animal Hospital 4205 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 (520) 308-4225 In the meantime, if you'd like to repost with a picture, feel free to do so. I am also available for consultation if you'd like to discuss your concerns further. Good luck, and I hope that Lenny, Norm, Fred, and Herman stay happy and healthy!

Thanks for reaching out about Yuki and including photos. Soft masses in the axilla or inguinal areas, are often mammary in nature. Most mammary tumors in rats are benign but not all. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a treatment plan. A second possibility is a fatty tumor (lipoma) which are also benign. Good luck.

Hello. Unfortunately, rats are very prone to cancer. If there is already a tumor on her body, there is also a very good possibility that there has been metastasis to the intestines. If you can have her seen by a veterinarian, this would be best, otherwise keep her as warm & comfortable as possible. Feed her whatever she will eat, but if the bleeding does not stop soon, she may not survive long. I hope you can have her seen. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Poor Oreo. Unfortunately at this age it is common for them to develop masses or tumors. There is no good home remedy to make them go away. I would have your vet look at it to see if it could be surgically removed if needed. Your vet should be able to look st it and let you know if this is cancerous, benign, or an infection. Your vet can also prescribe some pain medicine if ou feel he is uncomfortable. I hope this helps.

This could be an abscess, a hernia or a tumor. Unfortunately tumors are common in rats, so if this started small and then grew to this size over time, it is likely a tumor. A tumor in this area is relatively easy to remove if you don't let it get too big, as the surgeon needs enough healthy skin to close the wound again after surgery. A hernia can be easily repaired surgically. You can check whether it is a hernia by gently pressing on the lump and if you can make it disappear into the abdomen, it is a hernia. An abscess will need to be lanced and your rat will need antibiotics. I suggest you schedule an appointment with a veterinarian soon.