tumors?

I have a male in a grow out bin that has a huge lump on his head. I assume its a tumor? Does this mean there are bad genes in my rat colony? I have produced at least 100-200 rats so far with no other signs of tumors.. is it safe to feed him off?

Thanks
Richard

I'm not sure about the genetics or the safety of feeding him, but I had a pet rat as a kid who developed several large tumors. She ended up living over two years and they didn't seem to affect her quality of life to any extent.

If you're sure it's a tumor, I'd feed it off. If you think it might be pus, I'd either lance it and treat with antibiotics, or euthanize and discard the rat.

I'd wait it out for a little bit. If he's in the growout bin, I'm assuming he's pretty young, and tumors *usually* appear after the first year. I would guess that it's an abcess.

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Originally Posted by Bettacreek

I'd wait it out for a little bit. If he's in the growout bin, I'm assuming he's pretty young, and tumors *usually* appear after the first year. I would guess that it's an abcess.

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I was poking it and i think your right. I guess this one is getting the gas. do these things just happen or is there a cause? He doesn't seem to have any cuts in the area.

Richard

Honestly, the only thing that comes to mind is some kind of sore, like a scratch or a bite. If he doesn't seem to be in pain, I'd let him go, wait until it heals and then use him as a feeder or euth and toss him now. I wouldn't trust feeding him off with an abcess.

I just went through this with one of my big male (pet) rats, he developed a big swelling right over his left eye. It was an abcess. Although I didn't see any injury around the area, I would bet money that he was scuffling with one of the other boys in there, got a puncture wound, it healed on the outside but infection developed underneath. You won't always or even usually see external damage with an abcess. You can lance the swelling & drain out the puss (smells gross!!). I treated this one with oral antibiotics for a few days and it healed up fine in under a week.

ETA: Or you could just gas him, lol ^_~

If it's whole head, it sounds like hydrocephalus. They are very distinct looking and the age is just right for you to see it.

Read this link and the links to pictures to compare with your rat.
http://ratguide.com/health/neurologi...rocephalus.php

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

If it's whole head, it sounds like hydrocephalus. They are very distinct looking and the age is just right for you to see it.

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It looked a lot like that. and it sounds genetic so I will have to keep an eye out for more. :(

Thanks for all the input.

Richard

I would try that same pairing of male and female at least a few more times to rule that its inheritable. Watch them carefully after the 4 weeks of age and if all else fails, you can always take one to the vet so the vet can confirm or disprove your suspicions. Then depending on the outcome retire or keep those two breeders.