Tia has a tumour... (Sad Update)

[Miss Z]

Hello everyone, remember me? Not been around that much recently, so I hate to be back with bad news.

I was playing with Tia last night before I went to bed, when I picked her up and felt a lump just under her right armpit brush against my fingers. Of course, I inspected it immediately, and I think I fear it is a mammary tumour.

It's about the size and shape of a slightly squashed pea and feels a little like cartilage. It doesn't hurt her when I touch it. I can't decide if it's benign or not, it seems pretty easy to move around under the skin but I'm not sure if a small part of it is attached or not. It's not yet visible unless you look really closely at her from upside down, and as yet it doesn't appear to be impeding her movement.

I am totally torn as to what to do. Naturally, she'll be at the vet ASAP on Monday (today's surgery is emergencies only), even though I probably won't be there as I'm on an overnight trip to the Peak District. If my prediction of a tumour is indeed correct, which I'm 99% sure it is, then I know what options they'll give but I have no idea which will be the best one for her.

Either they find it's benign and offer to remove it. Yeah, it might cost a bit, but I'll just have to make sacrifices such as missing a couple of riding lessons if that's what it takes. However, Tia is an old girl, coming up to 2 1/2 soon. I doubt she's got the best ticker out there. Putting her under anaesthetic would be a risky business that her little body just might not be able to cope with. Also, we could remove this one, and another will come back, either in the same place or in a new area entirely.

The other choice is just to leave it until it becomes so large that it's taking over her life, and she'll have to be put to sleep when that time comes. I don't know how quick tumours grow. I don't suppose they're particularly quick, but all those cells dividing every 20 mins or so, I suppose it won't be too slow either. I have to ask myself if I could really stand watching her get weaker and weaker until finally admitting defeat and throwing in the towel.

I've always known that rats are prone to tumours, but until you're own is affected you just don't realise how prone they actually are.

If anyone has some info or advice on dealing with tumours in rats, that would be great for me to know, otherwise, maybe some PT magic in the form of good vibes could help both me and Tia right now.

Zara

[kittycats_delight]

I know what you are going through Zara. ((((HUGS))))

I had a rat a few years ago and the exact same thing happened. I told her to the vet and was told that 90% of tumors in domesticated rats are malignant. I know that is not something you want to hear. I was also told it is the #1 cause of death in domestic rats. My vet told me about 85% of domestic rats get them at some point in their life and usually they develope around or just after the 2 year mark. Sweetpea (my rat) was a little over 2. He also said that it seems the life expectancy of rats was on a down. And a good precentage of them we not living past 3 or so. The extracted a little fluid from Sweetpea's tumor and it was malignant. It grew very fast and went from the size of a pea to the size of a golf ball in about 6 months. In was under her left front arm. In the armpit. When I brought her in as it was getting virtually impossible for her to get around my vet said their was another forming in her groin area under her back leg. He figured she was full. And eventhough she was still active and eating and affectionate he felt keeping her any longer was cruel. She couldn't get around well and he felt that considering the size of the tumor it would be only a few short days before she would show signs of suffering. He felt she already was but just not showing them outwardly yet. I let her go. She was just over 2 when I discovered the tumor and not quite 3 when she passed over.

I am sorry. I am sure this is not what you wanted to hear but I felt honesty and telling you straight was the best way to go. It would give you some time for it to sink in and for you to enjoy your time with her. I hope and pray it isn't a tumor though. Please let us know what the vet says.

((((((ZARA))))))

Michelle

[moosmom]

Oh Zara, I'm so sorry to hear about Tia. Do what you think is right for Tia. Only you know whether or not she's suffering. If I had to choose for Winkie to operate or not, given the chances of him not making it through the surgery, I'd take the chance. That's only my opinion, sweetheart. What is there to lose? I mean, if it's malignant, her chances of surviving and suffering are about the same as her making it through the anesthesia, why not. Does that make sense to you??? I by no means mean any disrespect. You are a very wise, mature young lady and I have the utmost respect for you.

Do what is in the best interest of Tia. And know that you and Tia will be in my thoughts and prayers.

(((((HUGS))))) and love,

Donna

[Kalei]

Poor Tia, you must be so upset right now But if I know you Zara you are trying to stay strong and do what's best for Tia. And I know you will. Many prayers on the way for Tia that whatever you choose will bring her happiness

[Chilli]

Major ((((hugs)))) going out to you & Tia.
You know how much I adore that beautiful little girl of yours. I wish I could throw in some advice or an opinion, but I've only had experiance with a mouse having a tumor. The tumor didn't grow all that fast, but it was painful to see her losing her strength and watching her give in to her illness.
I know you want only the best for Tia. Afterall, Tia is probably one of the most spoiled rats on PT.
Good vibes & thoughts headed out for Tia.

[Muddy4paws]

My heart sank when I read this topic, Im so sorry Zara.

I hope that its nothing serious, Seriously go to www.fancy-rats.co.uk and check with them for any vets near you, alot of people on that site could relate to your problem and could probably give you better advice that I ever could.

As you said before, Tia is still a young girl at heart so hopefully everything will be ok!

If you want to use my account PM me and I'll give you my details.

[Miss Z]

Just a little update.

Tia finished her course of medication, and we took her to the vet again yesterday. He had a feel of the tumour and whilst he doesn't think it's much bigger (which could mean that it will grow slowly - we can only live in hope), as the antibiotics didn't reduce it, then it's definitely a mammary tumuor.

We discussed all aspects of treatment. I just can't put her through the op. All the stress and pain she will experience with a small chance of her surviving the anaesthetic anyway, plus knowing full well that it could be fruitless and it could come back, it's not fair on her.

There is steroid treatment that she can be prescribed that could slow down the growth of the tumuor, but these have so many side-effects including making her aggressive and even shortening her life span anyway, so I'm not prepared to risk that.

Instead we agreed that we will just monitor how it goes. If there ever does appear to be a rapid growth in the lump or it seems to be causing her pain, we can telephone the surgery and collect some more antibiotics and anti-inflammitory solutions. I can't say I'm satisfied, but I think we have chosen the safest and kindest method of 'treatment' for Tia.

Thanks for continued support and prayers. She's been doing really well lately, pretty much as full of life as she always has been, and still loving her food!

[Chilli]

I'm glad you've pretty much come to a conclusion on what you're going to do. It must put your mind at ease a bit. I know Tia is in great hands, and you're doing a great thing by thinking of her well-being first.

Again, ((((hugs)))) to you & Tia. You both are still in my thoughts.

[My Peanuts]

Any updates on Tia? I hope she is doing well.

[Miss Z]

Any updates on Tia? I hope she is doing well.

Thanks, Diana, I'd forgotten that I needed to update this thread.

Yes, she seems to be getting through life quite comfortably, but I must say she has slowed down a lot physically. I think I recognise this purely as old age kicking in rather than the result of the tumour, although I don't suppose it's helping. Of course, there's life in the old rat yet, she's still keep to wander around my room and come and sit on my lap in the garden when weather permits us to do so, but she's no where near as lively and wriggly as she once was and is much more content to sit still and be fussed over than ever before. I've also noticed that she has a bit of bother getting up the ramps to the different levels of her cage; almost dragging herself up on the ladder, which is quite steep, and I have helped her up on a few occasions. Once she's level again, she moves normally except her steps are ever so slightly more laboured. I wondered, do rats sometimes suffer from artheritis? I've checked her over and she definitely has no injuries to any of her limbs, but I have noticed for some time her back legs do seem stiffer than they used to be.

Good news is, though, the tumour is barely bigger since the last update. I think the only growth since then has been a small, peppercorn sized protrusion forming on the original tumour mass, but other than that, it's the same. It doesn't seem to cause her any pain or discomfort at all, so I'm hoping that the tumour is not overly aggressive and will be a slow-grower.

Thanks for the continued support, everyone.

[Alysser]

It sucks when they get older. I am sorry Tia seems to have slown down a bit, but with you I'm sure she will get the proper care she needs. Good luck to you both!!

[Miss Z]

Sorry I didn't update sooner, I just wanted to keep monitoring Tia and making sure her condition was definitely stable before I posted this.

She seems better. Now, I'm not going to say miraculously better, because she is definitely not the rat she once was, but she's still trying her hardest to be Tia. I let her 'run' around my room each day just the same as always, although now it's more of an amble around my room. Yet, an amble is better than nothing. She still likes to sniff everything as she goes along, and shuffles over in my direction when I call her.

Her back legs aren't great. Her muscles in that area have vastly decreased in size and she can no longer get herself up to the next level in her cage. So, she just lives on the bottom part now. However, her cage is massive (it's intended to house about 4 rats), so it isn't like she's cramped or anything, and she gets at least 2 hours a day outside her cage. She sleeps a lot more than she used to, which is understandable, but she is still eating well and drinks pretty well too.

She's been on her medication and is taking it well, even though I think she's getting rather tired of having a syringe shoved in her mouth every day. She has two drops of Metacam on a treat as a painkiller and anti-inflammatory (for the mammary tumour, which is still walnut sized for the moment, and also may help with any pain she may experience in her legs) and 0.25ml of Baytril antibiotic to try and stem the tumour growth. I also give her 2-3ml of water in a syringe morning and night, just to make sure that she's definitely hydrated.

I'm still debating with myself whether she has a pituatary tumour or the paralysis is just due to old age. Sometimes I think the way she suddenly stops, stares and teeth chatters randomly are signs of senility, but then she doesn't seem to exhibit the posture associated with brain tumours. I won't rule it out, but I'm hoping that it's not the case and that the paralysis will be managable.

She isn't in the clear, but I think she's as good as she's going to get. I'll post some pics of her and the gerbils once I've posted this.

Thanks for all the thoughts and support.

[Alysser]

Zara, I know what you are going through. Sadly, as pets age so does their bodies. I am glad to hear Tia has slightly improved, hopefully it will continue. I love Tia and I hope she can keep getting better. She's a fighter for sure.

[moosmom]

Zara,

Tia will be in my thoughts and prayers. Let her now that her Winkie wants Tia to know that he loves and misses her very much and will be in his thoughts as well.

(((((((HUGS))))) to you my favorite PTer!

[My Peanuts]

Zara,

That's the best news that could have been hoped for. She is eating and drinking and that says a lot. More prayers on the way.

Diana