Growth on a rat.

[RhacHead]

So I have a female breeder I aquired in 2008 who recently developed a growth or swelling on her chest.At first I thought little of it but its progressively gotten larger and now I'm not sure what to think of it.so my question is this,Has any one else had a similar experience? What do you think it is?

[rareballer]

Its a tumor (cancer) its far to common in rats but most female rats get them around the nipple area. Don't worry if your breeding rats it wont spreed to the offspring. It will continue to grow and she will eventually die from it sorry. The best thing to do is take her to the vet to either remove it or put her down that's all that can be really done. Sorry to be the bringer of bad news. Google search "Rats with tumors" it will give you allot more info on the subject.

[RhacHead]

Ok thanks I assumed it was a tumor but couldn't be certain.I was curious if :

a.It would be harmful to the snake to feed her off
b.It could be transferred to offspring either through heredity or through nursing..

[Michelle.C]

Ok thanks I assumed it was a tumor but couldn't be certain.I was curious if :

a.It would be harmful to the snake to feed her off
b.It could be transferred to offspring either through heredity or through nursing..

A. Certainly not.
B. Not through nursing, but certain lines of rat are more genetically prone to cancers. If She is a young rat, I'd say feed her off and don't keep any offspring if you are looking for longevity in your line. If she's an older female, it's normal. Rats commonly die from cancers.

[DJ_Bizarre]

If it isn't a "fancy" rat, then they will most likely develop tumors over time, the same goes for mice. Because some are bred purely for feeders, they have weak genes and usually lead to death through cancer.