First litter of rats and mother has a tumor

[frostysBP]

My female has a big tumor by its back right leg on one of her nipples it was not there before she gave birth. Should I gas her and her litter of now or can I wait till they are weaned?

[JoshSloane]

How old is that rat? Rats spontaneously develop tumors at the drop of a hat. I doubt its an actual tumor though, probably an irritated and inflamed area. How big is it? what color? A pic would help.

[frostysBP]

Ok to be clear its not her first litter it's my first time for breeding. I got her about two months ago from my rat supplier along with 2 other big females and a big male. I looks to be a big fluid filled sac under the skin. I just tried to get a pic but she is not to happy with me trying to lift her up I will try again later after she settles down again. She is a very big girl. .

[JoshSloane]

If it's fluid filled it's not a tumor. Could have had an infection during nursing or some irritation. If it looks like she is in pain you might want to euthanize her.

[frostysBP]

She looks to be doing good. I was able to touch it and she didn't seam to mind. Goin to see if she can get them weaned before gasping her as I don't have a use for pinkys. Thank for urge input will try and get a pic up after work

[Rhasputin]

If it's an infection, you can lance it with a medium gauge needle, and drain it.

[frostysBP]

here's a pic from just now it appears to be getting larger. I could touch it and it fills fluid filled. Whatd the odd of another female rat taking over the babies?

[frostysBP]

Another note she has been nursing the babies for a week now and all appear to be very healthy

[frostysBP]

[Rhasputin]

I would poke it with a medium gauge needle and see if fluid or blood comes out. Usually if just blood comes out, it's a tumor, and if fluid or pus comes out, it's probably mastitis. Does it feel hot? Or average rat temperature? Does it look red and inflamed?