Rat tumor HELP PLEASE

Hello, I have been breeding rats now for about a year and I have just stumbled across a problem I have yet had to deal with. One of my female rats who has given me a bunch of babies has a giant tumor on her belly I say it's a tumor because I don't know what else it could be. Now here is my question will this effect all the rat babies and the ones she just had is it safe to keep these babies or should I get rid of them unfortunately I put all the baby rats together so about 50 or so are mixed together which would mean a lot of babies dying I just need some advice I like to give my customers the best they can get and I don't want to sell a rat to someone that could kill there snake

My guess is that it's cancer and won't spread to the babies. You should euthanize that female once the babies are weaned and replace her with one of her offspring. If the babies get cancer too it may be genetic, you may have to get a new line of rats. I haven't had an issue with my rats but I do replace all of my older males and females before they get to the end of their life. Most animals will get cancer once they reach the end of life right before they die, just don't let your rats get that old, maybe replace them at 1.5 years old.

Absolutely i will euthanize here asap but how will i know if the babies have it

Most likely a mammary tumor which is not unusual for breeder females to develop, hard to tell without a picture.

Just got done euthanizing her she made a mess https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...psrwfz6xkt.jpg

Yep that is a mammary tumor, usually you do not see them that big but some can grow very fast.

I usually will euthanize soon as I see a small growth as it only get worth.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Yep that is a mammary tumor, usually you do not see them that big but some can grow very fast.

I usually will euthanize soon as I see a small growth as it only get worth.

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Will that spread to the babies or no?

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Originally Posted by xWILDxREPTILEx

Will that spread to the babies or no?

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Any female that is bred heavily can develop mammary tumor, pets that are never bred can too.

Now is cancer hereditary? Well yes in both humans and animals if cancer is part of the family history it would increase the risks for future generation, but so does poor lifestyle and environmental issues.

Rats have a tendency towards tumors. That's why labs use them so much. Certain lines are bred distinctly to have cancers, in fact.

Cancers and mammary tumors do not spread. They are not contagious. Now, will her babies have more of a chance to develop cancer/tumors? Hard to say without knowing which type of tumor that is.

Most likely, you won't see any higher number of tumors in her offspring, but if so, then you can begin culling them out of your colony. Right now, you admit you can't tell her offspring from the others.

If you can keep a record on who is who, it will help the breeding program down the line. That way you can tell who have larger litters, faster growing offspring, less weight loss after birth... etc.

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

Rats have a tendency towards tumors. That's why labs use them so much. Certain lines are bred distinctly to have cancers, in fact.

Cancers and mammary tumors do not spread. They are not contagious. Now, will her babies have more of a chance to develop cancer/tumors? Hard to say without knowing which type of tumor that is.

Most likely, you won't see any higher number of tumors in her offspring, but if so, then you can begin culling them out of your colony. Right now, you admit you can't tell her offspring from the others.

If you can keep a record of who is who, it will help the breeding program down the line. That way you can tell who have larger litters, faster-growing offspring, less weight loss after birth... etc.

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I agree that I should take note of who had what and from this day forward I now keep track of all 41 tubs of rats I have so this way I know who has what and where they came from. This line of rats I have now come from the same 6 female rats they have produced me 1000 + from them and offspring rats but I think I will now find a new line of rats from a different breeder why keep all your eggs in one basket

Cancer can come from genetics but it can also come from toxins as well. Do you get your water from a well? Benzene causes cancer and gasoline is up to 10% benzene, if any was spilled on the ground it could seep into your water supply if you are on a well. Lead or other heavy metals can cause cancer, any chance of contamination? Lead paint? What bedding do you use? What food are you using? Any toxic vapors in the air? Do you keep your rats near cans of gasoline or other solvents?

One or two tumors in a colony of 41 tubs with over 1000 babies isn't too bad... I've never had cancer in my rats but I did have it in some of my other farm animals and in a couple dogs, it happens.

How old is she? This is normal. No need to worry, sooner or later they all get lumps, tumors, warts etc.. Set a age that you just trade your breeders in before they get these.. 8 months, 12 months etc..


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