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