| Tumors Rats, especially females, are very prone to benign mammary tumors. As long as they are in good health, they are generally very easy to remove surgically, but do have a tendency to reappear at a later date.  Pectoral Mammary Tumor This tumor actually falls below her arm. It is well-encapsulated and easily manipulated and was pushed back for better viewing. While mammary tumors do occur more often in females, it is also possible for males to get them, as they do also have mammary tissue. They do not, however, get them as frequently because most benign tumors are estrogen-driven. Also, rats have very diffuse mammary tissue. It runs throughout their underside and up their sides a bit, as well. Therefore, you should consider the possibility of a tumor should any lumps appear in these areas. A younger, female rat would probably benefit from a spay. If she's already getting tumors when she's young, she will continue to get them her entire life and it's better to put her through one surgery (the spay and removal of the first tumor) than to put her through numerous surgeries throughout her life.
A rat who is older and who's tumors are still small, would probably benefit from tamoxifen. However, tamoxifen is expensive and she would need to be on it for the rest of her life. Tamoxifen CAN completely remove tumors that are smaller than a pea, it CAN shrink tumors that are larger than that (but not completely remove them), and it CAN prevent her from getting new tumors. I say "can" because it has a different success rate with each individual rat. But, given in the correct dosages, it most often does slow the growth of benign tumors. It does take some time to see the effects of tamoxifen because it has to build up in their system before it starts to work. Usually 2 or 3 weeks. In case you should consider it, here are a couple of notes about tamoxifen: If a rat on tamoxifen should need surgery for any reason, you MUST take her off of the drug for one full week before the surgery. This drug interferes with their ability to clot and could cause excess blood loss during a surgery. In either case, it is very important that you get her to the vet ASAP to decide what to do because both benign and malignant tumors can grow VERY quickly. More information on tumors: Tumors in Rats by Debbie Ducommun Recommended treatment: Respiratory-healthy rats of any age: Surgical tumor removal Young, healthy rats: Surgical tumor removal and spay Older, or failing rats: Tamoxifen Dose for Tamoxifen: For Existing Tumors: • 6.6mg/kg once per day 6 days on, 1 day off each week. Preventative: • 3.3mg/kg once per day 6 days on, 1 day off each week. Surgery Information To link to this page: http://www.raisinrats.com/medical/tumors.html [back to top] |
