Feeding off a mouse with a tumor or abscess

[Awaiting Abyss]

I've asked this question other places and so far I haven't gotten a for-sure answer.

Is it okay to feed mice with tumors or abscesses to mammals (cat or ferrets)? I know its okay for snakes, but my snake can't eat a mouse this big.

[Archimedes]

I'm not sure if it's adviseable, because I don't know if infections can be transferred via prey. If Satomi chimes in, that would be great, she's very experienced in raw feeding.

[Mephibosheth1]

I'd be concerned with abscesses, but tumors are just cancer, which is noncontagious, so that should be fine

[satomi325]

It's ok to feed off.
As said before, cancer is not contagious. An abscess is just essentially bacteria.
Obligate carnivores like ferrets and cats have highly acidic stomachs that are designed to kill off any of the nasty stuff found in prey.

[Mephibosheth1]

Thanks satomi...I wasn't sure what kinds of bacteria usually cause abscesses in mice, cause if they're campylobacter or something they may cause GI upset in mammals...right??

[satomi325]

I'm pretty sure Staphyloccus aureus is the most common bacteria that causes abscesses in rats and mice. Most ferrets will eat around an abscess if they are aware of it. You could always just cut it off.

But unless your pet is immunodeficient or has some other additional underlying problem, it shouldn't be a problem to feed.

[Awaiting Abyss]

Thanks