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rats advice needed


greeneyes28

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Hi

My rat had to have his eye removed due to a tumor few months ago, they said he had tumor cells and would more than likely to deleop more tumors.

He hasnow delevoped a tumor on his side, with him been 2 1/2yrs old and it really upset him so i decided i would letthe tumor be with him been quiet old, trouble is the tumor is about the size of a golf ball and half again, andit worries me that im been selfish not taking him to the vets. He's still eating and he walks about when i get him out of the cage and thats why i thought just leave him be and notto upset him but it does upset me to see him with a tumor, i just wanted to know whatyou would do, do i take him to vets they remove it and risk of him dying on table or do i let nature takes it course???

 

:help:

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Sorry to hear about your old man. I personally would let nature take its course, at that age I wouldn't risk the op :( If he's still eating and drinking - I'd just let him be.

 

I have a few things which determine when I call it - including the rat not being able to clean themselves, not being able to get around or not eating. If the lump ulcerates then you will need to take him to the vets, that's very painful for them. I've had one lump ulcerate, I do have photos if you want to see them for informative reasons (PM me) but otherwise they don't need to be posted.

 

I think lumps are more horrendous for us humans, most rats just don't seem bothered! If he's eating drinking and generally being himself, I'd just let him get on with it - you're not being selfishl in my view.

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Tis a difficult one but do you let him suffer? or do you let him live out the rest of his life( another two years average) in pain and discomfort? I think, letting heart rule head is not the best option and you must think of the animals quality of life and comfort before any human feelings? If you " care and love him" just put yourself in his shoe's and think? Rat's do feel pain and discomfort......let him suffer or say goodbye in the kindest possible way? your call bebe.

Personally, if he's not in pain then he can carry on being the ratty he's alway's been but the first sign of pain then I would not let him suffer.

Vet bill's can be astronomical and I've had a vet just quote for his profit not for the animal's best interest. Either way, you'll have to decide for the animal's best intesrest.

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How long do you think rats live for Puddinburner? The average lifespan is 2 years, 2.5 years is a very very good age and most definitely old age.

 

As you say - lumps generally do affect quality of life at some point, but they can get quite big before that happens, alarming I know. But if they can clean, eat drink and be normal, I'd be confident in their quality of life personally.

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well like i say he's 2.5yrs, he's laid on his back legsopen cleaning himself,i still shower him and his brother, he doesnt sqeek when i pick up him as though im hurting him, hes just the normal rat he's always been, i knew when he had to have his eye out back in feb that it musthave really hurt him and i didnt want him to go through that again, i just wanted some advice, i think ill leave him be and if he worsens or becomes in pain ill take him to be put to sleepies, hes just one of the best rats ive known, hes so nice and affectionate rat, loves his cuddles and strokes and had never bitten its just happened to the wrong little dude :(

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It always happens to the wrong little dudes :cry:You'll know when the time is right, sounds cliche, but you will, take care of him :)
My bold

 

Very true - when you've had a pet for years, you know them well enough to realise when the quality of life has deteriorated and they're not themselves any more.

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My rat had a tumour under her arm, I left her until I thought enough was enough (she was still climbing etc) and then took her to the vets and let her go. I knew she's had enough when she wasn't interested in climbing and playing with the other rats anymore

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Hey. Really sorry to hear about your rat. I'm going through exactly the same thing at the moment with my rat. He is just over 2 years old and has a lump on his right "knee" that is getting progressively larger. He's still getting around perfectly well, still spends his evenings running around my room looking for as much mischeif as possible :D As he's fairly old, and also refuses to be handled or touched, I thought the best thing to do would be to leave it until it causes him problems, rather than cause him the stress of being handled and put through an operation at his time of life. Good luck with your little one, I hope he has a good few months left in him yet :)

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