Pet Rat Care - Mammary Tumors

Tumors are one of the most common health problems in unspayed female rats. These are usually benign (non cancerous) mammary tumors that are stimulated by estrogen and occur in approximately 17% to 77% of female rats. Mammary tumors usually occur at around 18 months when females enter menopause and stop ovulating.

These tumors can grow very fast on your pet rat. In some cases, if left untreated, they can cause death by pressing on vital organs, causing internal bleeding or impairing your pets movements. Many times your female rat will be unable to eat sufficient food to sustain herself and the tumor.

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Mammary tumors usually start as distinct small lumps under the skin. They are commonly found near the females nipples under the font legs, on the tummy and near the groin area. The lump should feel loose and separate from the rat in the fact it can be moved around under the skin. If this is the case with the lump you have detected, the odds are it is benign.

Mammary tumors that contain pockets of milk can grow very rapidly and to huge sizes - upto 10 cm across - and are usually round in shape. If the lump you have located feels attached, don't panic, this may still be a benign tumor and therefore removable. Sometimes, the mammary tumors will grow underneath tissue making it feel attached when examined.

Treatment.

If you pet rat develops a mammary tumor the most common cause of treatment is surgical removal.

This is best performed whilst the lump is still small and is usually a simple procedure as the tumor is located under the rats skin, not in the abdominal cavity. However, if you rat is aged or suffering some other health issue, the vet may advise against surgery due to risk involve with anesthesia, etc.

Your pet may also develop more than one mammary tumor in her life time. So once one has been diagnosed, be sure to check her weekly as part of your pet rat care plan for any further lumps developing.

Prevention.

There are a few causes that can be taken when looking at preventing tumors from developing in your pet. None are 100% successful at this stage but still worthwhile considering.

Spaying is considered the most success form of prevention. There are many argument for and against spaying healthy young rats in order to prevent a condition later in life that may or may not occur. However, it may also be said that spayed female pet rats risk of developing mammary tumors is reduced to about 4%.

Genetics can play a part in determining whether or not your pet rat is more susceptible to tumors or not. If possible, check the history of female relatives of your rat to see if her line is more prone than not. If you own a female from a line that do tend to develop tumors, it may well be worth considering spaying her whilst she is young to reduce her risk.

Diet can be used to reduce the risk of tumors. Ensure a good diet that is low-fat and full of fresh fruit and vegetables is part of your pet care plan. Soybeans, broccoli and tomatoes are all great feed components. Also try feeding your female rat soy products such as miso or soybean powder. Add the powder to water or to soy milk to make a drink or mixed as a paste it can be spread on a favorite treat

Gender can also be consider. If you really wish to avoid possible heartbreak created by tumors in your pet then consider boy rats instead. Some boy rats will develop mammary tumors but it is very uncommon.

Pet Rat Care - Mammary Tumors

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