Oh No - Scarlett

So, I'm changing out all the rattie's enclosures tonight, and picked up Scarlett, my self Russian Blue, to move her into a clean maternity tank with her two remaining sons (who will be meeting a couple of snakes this weekend) and noticed that she has a small lump, maybe even a tumor under her chin. It's about the size of a small peanut.

I think I may have to have her humanely euthanized after her sons are gone. :(

ah poor thing :(

It's probably an abscess if it's under her chin, hun. Do warm compresses a few times a day for a few days and it will pop on it's own. She may need antibiotics for it(Baytril is good for clearing up skin wounds) and it will need flushed with warm chlorhexidine solution 1-2 times per day(just fill a syringe and flush the ickies out).

Rats normally get tumors under their armpits and in the flabby skin on their sides, all the way to their flanks(back leg creases), and also the flabby skin by their butt.

I've had quite a number of mammary and cancerous tumors removed from some of my girls and boys. Even had 3 eye removals done. They all recover uneventfully and go on to lead a normal life. I do get them fixed at that time, as it helps prevent the tumors forming(hormones).

Oh that makes me feel better! I thought that Foxy had one last week under her armpit, felt sort of like a grain of rice, but I can't find it now on her. I was thinking I was cursed. I will start with warm compresses now. Baytril is not something I could pick up at a feed store is it? Actually, I think I'd rather have the vet look at it and prescribe if it's needed - I don't want to try to figure out doses on my own.

Old Rat has a abcess and it cleared right up. Keep your chin up, and her chin with compresses!
Wolfy