A lump under the arm of a decorative rat. General description of tumors in rats
Ornamental rodents often face cancer. A tumor in a rat is considered one of the most serious problems, the treatment of which should not be delayed. Why is the disease so dangerous for a small organism? A tumor is a pathological proliferation of foreign cells. The immune system cannot cope with pathogenic invaders, so the growth of tumor tissues is uncontrolled.
Growths can be benign or malignant. The first are formed in a kind of capsule in which cells actively grow. The capsule does not go beyond the boundaries of its area. The growth process of a benign tumor is usually slow, but there are exceptions. Education has different sizes, often growing to enormous volumes. A malignant tumor is characterized by more aggressive behavior. Cells grow into surrounding tissues, changing them. Growth is fast and intense.
Malignant formation cannot be contained; it constantly spreads throughout the body. The appearance of small foci of pathogenic cells in other areas of the body is called metastases. Cancer can develop on both internal organs and the outside of the body. Often, rats die at the age of one and a half to two years precisely from tumor growths that are invisible to the eye. The disease kills animals everywhere, without making gender distinctions.
Causes of tumor formation
The critical age for cancer development is one year. Little rats usually get sick only in extreme cases: bad heredity, terrible living conditions. The main cause of the disease is genetic predisposition. Wild relatives encounter cancer much less often than their ornamental counterparts. Numerous experiments, inbreeding, and uncontrolled breeding worsen the gene pool. Rats become weaker and more easily susceptible to various infections.
Other possible causes include:
- Poor environmental situation. This factor especially concerns urban conditions.
- Neglect of feeding rules.
- Lack of timely treatment for other diseases.
- Lack of attention, violation of maintenance standards.
There is a theory of the viral origin of the problem. According to it, oncogenic viruses are responsible for the development of tumor disease in domestic rats. Their species is unknown. Perhaps exposure to x-rays and gamma rays has an effect. The overall functioning of the body and disturbances in the hormonal system are affected.
Indirect causes can lead to the formation of cancer. For example, a rat got injured and an infection got into the wound. Suppuration has begun, and the surrounding tissues can degenerate under the influence of viruses and bacteria. The initial stage of the tumor in this case is called an abscess. Over time, such pustules can transform into a malignant formation.
Types of tumors in rats
In addition to those listed above, lipomas, papillomas, carcinomas, and adenomas are found in rodents. Lipomas form in adipose tissue and have a soft consistency and round shape. Soft to the touch, medium mobility. Lipoma grows slowly and can be malignant. It occurs more often on the stomach and back.
Papillomas have a completely different appearance, which makes them easy to distinguish from other options. They rise above the surface of the skin and may have a stalk. Externally they resemble warts. They have a high growth rate. They come in different sizes.
Carcinomas look different and can be located in any location. Often found on the face, skin, and around the ears. Adenomas develop within specific organs. Pituitary adenoma occurs in rats. All other types of cancer are named depending on their location: ovarian tumors, bladder tumors.
Symptoms
The manifestation of symptoms directly depends on the location of cancer cells and the presence of concomitant diseases. If the gastrointestinal tract is affected, poor appetite and weight loss are observed. Anemia develops, the gums turn pale, the rat is weak and inactive. When the reproductive system is affected, mucous and bloody discharge is observed. The presence of a tumor in the lungs leads to rapid, difficult, hoarse breathing.
The formation of a pathogenic capsule inside the brain is fraught with loss of coordination. The limbs begin to bend in a strange way and move poorly. Weakness and apathy are constantly present. Problems with vision and hearing are visible. Large tumors are visible to the naked eye. They form rolling bumps under the skin. Hard or soft to the touch, benign formations can be traced along the contour. The margins of malignancy are often undetectable.
Diagnosis and treatment
Cancer cells are found on the abdomen, particularly the mammary glands. A tumor can appear anywhere, the rarest places being the paws and lower back. Breast cancer is called fibroadenoma. It can be easily palpated, felt as small movable tubercles. If thickening is noticeable in the skull area, osteosarcoma is suspected.
Pay close attention to symptoms and monitor dynamics. During the initial examination, the rat is carefully palpated. If possible, do an ultrasound and x-ray. In case of a malignant course of the disease, the lymph nodes are examined: metastases most often form there. X-ray gives good results for cancer of the chest organs and bones. An ultrasound shows a cluster of cancer cells in the thyroid gland, heart, lungs, and abdominal cavity.
A biopsy, histological examination and blood test help to establish an accurate diagnosis. Is there a cure for cancer in rats? There is only one effective treatment method - surgery. However, if detected early, it is possible to stop and reverse the progression of a benign tumor. Various medications are prescribed to stop the growth of pathogenic cells and at the same time stimulate the activity of the immune system. Surgery can remove the immediate problem, but in the vast majority of cases the cancer comes back.
The owner of a decorative rat can reduce the risk of tumor development. Prevention is important. It is necessary to adhere to the correct diet. A rat's diet should not contain a large amount of fat. When digested, high-calorie foods combine with oxidized fats, forming carcinogens. When choosing a rat, it is better to contact breeders who clearly trace the genetic line. And do not breed rats in close inbreeding yourself.
Interestingly, the incidence of tumors is higher in females. Therefore, you can choose males as a pet. Also, rare breed varieties encounter cancer more often: this includes dumbos, sphinxes, and tailless rats. Timely contact with a veterinarian reduces the risk of death.
Don't expect a happy resolution if you find a strange lump under the skin. The smaller the lump is at the time of surgery, the better.
Along with respiratory infections, tumors are one of the main health problems and causes of death in rats, especially in females. There are two main types of tumors: benign and malignant. Benign tumors are almost always enclosed in a membrane and separated from adjacent tissue, and are therefore easily removed by surgery.
Such tumors can grow as quickly as malignant tumors, they do not cause the same damage to organs and do not metastasize (that is, they do not spread to other parts of the body). Although benign tumors do not usually cause death directly, such a tumor may grow to such an extent that the rat has difficulty moving and cannot eat enough to support both the tumor and normal body functions. Most of these rats are euthanized before the disease reaches this stage unless the tumor is removed.
In contrast, malignant tumors, also known as cancer, typically invade and damage adjacent tissue and also metastasize. Death is caused by failure of the affected organs. Because cancerous tumors are intertwined with normal tissue, surgery on rats is generally not possible. In most cases, cancer affects internal organs, so sometimes symptoms do not appear until the disease has progressed significantly and euthanasia is the only alternative.
Fortunately, most tumors in rats are benign. Over nine years, I performed about 100 operations on rats to remove tumors, and only a few of them turned out to be malignant. Of all these rats, I removed tumors from only five males; the rest were females, most with benign tumors. The percentage of successful operations to remove tumors of this type was very high.
Benign tumors
The most common tumors in rats are benign tumors of the mammary glands, most of which are fibroadenomas (“fibro” - connective tissue, “aden” - gland, “oma” - benign tumor). Benign breast tumors can be either soft to the touch and flat, or hard, sometimes even as hard as cartilage. Because the tumor grows so quickly, part of it may outgrow its blood supply, die, become necrotic, and fill with pus. Benign breast tumors are usually distinct lumps just under the skin that slide slightly under the skin when pressed with fingers. If your rat develops such a tumor, you can be 99% sure that it is benign. If the tumor is tightly attached to the underlying tissue, this may be a sign of its malignancy, although some benign tumors may feel adherent when palpated. I have successfully removed two similar tumors that I initially thought were malignant, so it is worth trying to remove even tumors that appear to be adherent.
The most common places for breast tumors to appear are the armpits, as well as the groin and abdomen; although because mammary tissue in rats is spread over a large area, tumors can appear anywhere on the body. It makes sense to feel the rat's entire body more often to detect tumors earlier. The smaller the tumor, the easier (and cheaper) it is to remove. It is never too late to remove a tumor as long as the rat is otherwise healthy. I have successfully removed breast tumors the size of a small apple! I have also removed tumors from rats over two years of age, so age should not be the only factor when considering surgery. Because the tumors are located just under the skin, the surgery to remove them is fairly easy, as opposed to opening up a body cavity, so the rats recover quickly. As long as the rat is otherwise healthy, this minor operation can be performed on rats of any age. While there is a chance of developing recurrent tumors, surgery will most likely save the rat's life and will certainly improve its quality of life for many months.
Tumors in ratsTranslation of the article Debbie "The Rat Lady" Ducommun "TUMORS IN RATS" by Tatyana Bulyonkova.
Along with respiratory infections, tumors are a major health problem and cause of death in rats, especially female rats. There are two main types of tumors: benign and malignant. Benign tumors are almost always enclosed in a membrane and separated from adjacent tissue, and are therefore easily removed by surgery.
Such tumors can grow as quickly as malignant tumors, they do not cause the same damage to organs and do not metastasize (that is, they do not spread to other parts of the body). Although benign tumors do not usually cause death directly, such a tumor may grow to such an extent that the rat has difficulty moving and cannot eat enough to support both the tumor and normal body functions. Most of these rats are euthanized before the disease reaches this stage unless the tumor is removed.
In contrast, malignant tumors, also known as cancer, typically invade and damage adjacent tissue and also metastasize. Death is caused by failure of the affected organs. Because cancerous tumors are intertwined with normal tissue, surgery on rats is generally not possible. In most cases, cancer affects internal organs, so sometimes symptoms do not appear until the disease has progressed significantly and euthanasia is the only alternative.
Fortunately, most tumors in rats are benign. Over nine years, I performed about 100 operations on rats to remove tumors, and only a few of them turned out to be malignant. Of all these rats, I removed tumors from only five males; the rest were females, most with benign tumors. The percentage of successful operations to remove tumors of this type was very high.
Benign tumors
The most common tumors in rats are benign tumors of the mammary glands, most of which are fibroadenomas (“fibro” - connective tissue, “aden” - gland, “oma” - benign tumor). Benign breast tumors can be either soft to the touch and flat, or hard, sometimes even as hard as cartilage. Because the tumor grows so quickly, part of it can outgrow its blood supply, die, become necrotic, and fill with pus. Benign breast tumors are usually distinct lumps just under the skin that move slightly under the skin when pressed with your fingers. If your rat develops such a tumor, you can be 99% sure that it is benign. If the tumor is tightly attached to the underlying tissue, this may be a sign of its malignancy, although some benign tumors may feel adherent when palpated. I have successfully removed two similar tumors that I initially thought were malignant, so it is worth trying to remove even tumors that appear to be adherent.
The most common places for breast tumors to appear are the armpits, as well as the groin and abdomen; although because mammary tissue in rats is spread over a large area, tumors can appear anywhere on the body. It makes sense to feel the rat's entire body more often in order to detect tumors earlier. The smaller the tumor, the easier (and cheaper) it is to remove. It is never too late to remove a tumor as long as the rat is otherwise healthy. I have successfully removed breast tumors the size of a small apple! I have also removed tumors from rats over two years of age, so age should not be the only factor when considering surgery. Because the tumors are located just under the skin, the surgery to remove them is fairly easy, as opposed to opening up a body cavity, so the rats recover quickly. As long as the rat is otherwise healthy, this minor operation can be performed on rats of any age. While there is a chance of developing recurrent tumors, surgery will most likely save the rat's life and will certainly improve its quality of life for many months.
The cost of surgery to remove a tumor can vary greatly. In Chico, a city of 70,000, some veterinarians are willing to remove a tumor on a rat at a reduced cost ($35-$50) compared to the same cost on a cat or dog ($150-$200). This does not include the examination fee, which can add up to an additional $25-$30. If you are confident that the tumor is benign, you can avoid the general examination fee by calling different hospitals and asking how much they would charge to remove an adenoma from a rat. Tell them about the location and size of the tumor Then ask if you can bring the rat in just for surgery without a general examination.
If you decide not to remove the benign tumor, you can expect it to continue to grow until it is almost the size of the rat itself. Within a few months or even weeks, you should be prepared to euthanize your rat when life is no longer enjoyable for him. During this time, you can help the rat maintain its quality of life by making sure its diet is very nutritious and rich in proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins, as the tumor will drain nutrients and energy from the rat's body.
Other types of tumors
Although benign tumors are the most common tumors found in rats, a number of others also occur. I saw three females with benign adenomas of the pituitary gland, which is located under the brain. All three had the same neurological phenomena. The first symptom was a lack of coordination, followed by the appearance of a characteristic posture - the front and hind legs are tense and extended forward and cannot be bent by the rat.
Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who can perform brain surgery on a rat, so rats with these symptoms should be euthanized. I recently encountered two cases of vaginal tumors. The first one was huge, and although I tried to remove it, during the operation I decided that it was better to euthanize the rat. In the second case, I was unable to remove the entire tumor, and it immediately grew back. The pathologist determined that the tumor was a fibroma. Unfortunately, the rat had to be euthanized due to complications on the fifth day after the second operation. Other tumors I saw included one possibly cancerous tumor of the ovaries, including the urinary tract, and a malignant tumor that appeared in a rat in a site where I had previously had surgery to remove benign mammary tumors twice before. One very rapidly growing tumor in the thigh of one of my laboratory rats was identified by the doctor as fibrosarcoma (the terms sarcoma and carcinoma refer to cancer). I also saw two squamous cell carcinomas: one on the face and one under the jaw (both in females). This type of tumor is more common on the face and should be suspected if swelling or swelling appears in this area.
There are only three ways to TRY to prevent swelling in your rat. First, a low-calorie, low-fat diet, low in amines and nitrates (when these natural components of some plants combine in the stomach, they become carcinogenic). Many studies have linked obesity and a high-fat diet to tumors. Secondly, you can try to find a breeder who has selectively eliminated tumor proneness from their breeding stock. Such breeding presents certain difficulties, since tumors usually appear in rats at the age of more than a year, that is, when they already have great-great-grandchildren. Currently, the only tumor-resistant rats that I know of are kept in California. The third way, currently the most reliable, is to have males, not females. Although males also have tumors, benign tumors, so common in females, are rare in them. Hopefully in the future more rats will be resistant to tumors, but until then, you should be on guard about this deadly disease.
NOTE EDITOR – According to an article in TIME magazine dated 4/24/94, scientists have shown that a substance in cruciferous plants (broccoli, cauliflower and other crunchy vegetables) actively blocks the formation of cancerous tumors in rats.
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People come to the veterinary clinic not only with dogs and cats. In second place after the most popular pets are rodents and lagomorphs - chinchillas, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, mice, degus and, of course, the most numerous and adored favorites of people - decorative rats.
Of all the representatives of the rodent world, rats are the smartest, most intelligent animals that are attached to their owner, which makes them the favorite animals for the whole family. Having tried to keep a rat at home, a rare owner gives up the dream of having this wonderful pet in the future.
After the first rat, a second, third, fourth appears... And, of course, all rat breeders begin to worry about the question: how to make the life of a loved one long and happy, how to avoid illness and stress, how to get joy from your rat, and not pain and anxiety? A veterinarian, a specialist at the clinic of the Institute of Veterinary Biology for the treatment of rodents and exotic animals, Tatyana Gennadievna Zakharina, will help us find the answer to these and other questions, who kindly agreed to advise me, the author of this text, and talk about the problems that she has to face when treatment of decorative rats.
Unfortunately, our favorites are the descendants of laboratory animals, which for many decades were bred in entire lines in order to study certain diseases, search for and test new drugs. And the main problem of humanity is all kinds of infections and incurable diseases, from which there is no salvation, which claim thousands of human lives. For example, according to statistics, mortality from cancer ranks second after deaths from heart disease. To save their pets from this misfortune and eradicate a predisposition to cancer, not so long ago rat breeders began crossing their pets with wild rats, and their descendants are called pasyuks or half-pasyuks in slang.
It is too early to say whether this experiment will be successful and whether it will bear fruit in the future. Pasyuks have their own problems (for example, sometimes aggressiveness appears in some of the offspring, which decorative rats lack), however, in order to draw conclusions, it is necessary to observe the change of generations and evaluate the results of selection for at least 20-30 years of such breeding work. Therefore, we will not touch on the topic of genetics, but will tell you about modern, pressing and painfully relevant problems that the owners of today's decorative rats face.
Rats are very “experienced” animals, “sharpened” on humans more than others. Often, owners of several animals who become ill at the same time turn to the veterinary clinic, and each rat has its own diagnosis, and these diseases are not contagious. Suddenly, out of the blue, the health of the pets begins to crumble, tumors rapidly grow in the animals, hidden infections and other problems appear, the cause of which may be the departure of a beloved owner or an unfavorable psychological climate in the family.
Divorces, quarrels, scandals, separation, troubles in the home also affect the health of animals in a completely mystical way. To prevent this from happening, it is better for a rat or several rats to be looked after by more than one owner, but by several household members who could take care of the pets just as well as he does. Several years ago, an article from a certain popular science magazine was circulating on the Internet, which talked about a laboratory experiment: two litters of rat pups were kept in good conditions.
They were fed deliciously and a lot, cared for, kept in perfect cleanliness, but the first litter was treated kindly by scientists - the babies were constantly picked up, squeezed, and talked to, while the animals from the second litter were just served (without communication). Compared to the first litter, the rat pups, deprived of affection, gained weight much more slowly and significantly lagged behind their brothers in development. Remember this when caring for your pet: a rat needs more than just feeding, cleaning, and occasional walks outside the cage!
She, like no one else, needs conversations, stroking, kisses, lisping and other signs of attention, no matter how funny it may sound - an animal should always feel needed and loved. Respiratory (and not only respiratory, but also many others!) diseases in rats are often associated with mycoplasmosis. Mycoplasma is a genus of bacteria that does not have a cell wall; There are several types of mycoplasma, including those dangerous to humans. An interesting fact is that almost all rats are carriers of mycoplasmosis (herbivorous rodents are carriers of other infections), which can manifest itself both in youth and somewhat later, in adulthood or old age.
Symptoms of diseases of decorative rats
In laboratory diagnostic studies of various tissues of rats, mycoplasmosis is detected in most cases, but it is not always what provokes this or that disease. Most often, respiratory diseases begin with common rhinitis (runny nose), which is characterized by nasal congestion, sneezing and/or copious discharge of porphyrin (a red mucus-like fluid) from the rat's eyes and nose. The appearance of porphyrin in small quantities is the norm; the rat is a very clean animal and most often washes its coat until it shines, not a trace remains of the discharge. The leakage of porphyrin can also be associated with stress (moving, “meeting” a male and a female, changing cells, changing owners, etc.) and goes away on its own.If porphyrin is intensely released and is not “washed off” for more than 12 hours, this is a sign that the rat is unhealthy and should be shown to a doctor. Intense sneezing is also a clear sign of rhinitis. Rhinitis can be caused by stress, an allergic reaction (this is rare in rats, but it does occur), but it can also serve as an alarming signal for the onset of a cold or infectious disease. Any respiratory disease is best treated not in the chronic stage, but at the time of its exacerbation. Often, especially if doctors are dealing with mycoplasmosis, relapses of respiratory diseases occur, which can take the form of either mild and painless rhinitis or serious problems: tracheitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.
You can determine bronchitis and/or pneumonia with the “naked” eye as follows: in addition to wheezing and lethargy, the animal begins to experience shortness of breath, when not only the chest, but also the abdominal wall is involved in the breathing process, while the sides of the rat shake or tremble convulsively with each breath. The lungs of rats can be easily palpated (naturally, by specialists; you are unlikely to be able to diagnose the disease yourself). In a healthy animal, they should be elastic and resilient to the touch.
If there is high pressure in the rat's chest due to difficulty in the respiratory process, it becomes rigid, the animal eats solid food worse and switches to soft and liquid food. If a rat suddenly develops sudden, frightening symptoms, such as opening its mouth, wheezing, even screaming, or whitish discharge from the nose, the animal most likely choked and aspiration of food masses into the respiratory tract occurred.
Against this background, pneumonia with pulmonary edema may even develop! As a first aid measure, the rat needs to be shaken, perhaps lowered upside down for a while, clean the oral cavity with a cotton swab from the accumulation of mucus, try to push food masses into the esophagus using the same stick, and be sure to urgently call a veterinary specialist on rodents. To avoid such problems, you should not feed your rat while traveling or at a time of stress: often, in a moment of fright or in a fuss, the animal begins to frantically gnaw something or swallow something greedily, so it may choke.
Oncological diseases of rats are characterized by the appearance of compactions (neoplasms) on the body of the animal, which quickly or slowly increase in size. The tumor can be either malignant or benign, which is easily operated on (but cancerous tumors usually give rise to metastases and there are no completely positive cases of cure for them yet). In addition to visible tumors, cancer cells often affect internal organs, most often the rat's lungs and brain.
Brain tumors are the most common cause of death in rats and are characterized by stroke-like phenomena: loss of coordination of movements, a sharp decrease in activity and appetite, weight loss, and in severe cases and in the final stages, coma and death. It is impossible to remove a brain tumor from a rat, but it is possible to alleviate its suffering in the last months of life and prolong this life, making it more or less tolerable, with the proper administration of appropriate drugs, the basic of which are hormonal anti-inflammatory and diuretic drugs.
About treating rats
Injections must be given following the clear instructions of your veterinarian. Rats with a mild form of stroke phenomena and an incompletely diagnosed brain tumor are prescribed hormones in small doses and courses, while seriously ill rats have to be “put on” prednisolone for life, monitoring their condition and informing their doctor about any changes for the worse or for the better. to adjust injection frequency and dosage. Most often, tumors of the mammary glands occur in female rats. A short excursion into anatomy: a rat has two pairs of ribbon-shaped packages of mammary glands. The upper pair starts from the armpits to the middle of the abdomen (axillary glands), and the lower pair runs from the middle of the abdomen to its very bottom, almost to the tail (inguinal mammary glands). During surgery, the mammary glands are removed in whole packages. The disease begins with mastopathy, which is characterized by soft, barely noticeable, loose lumps under the skin, similar to peas. Then they degenerate into tumor tissue, and thus an adenoma (benign tumor) of the mammary gland appears, which “does not interfere with life,” but grows very quickly and often grows to such catastrophic sizes that it prevents the rat from moving normally. In the most severe and advanced cases, or when surgery is contraindicated for the animal, the skin in the area of the tumor eventually breaks through and fistulas form (sometimes even with abscesses), which have to be treated with disinfectants and wound healing agents. It is even sadder when, as a result of cell degeneration, a benign tumor turns into a malignant one, that is, an adenoma turns into adenosarcoma.
In this case, the operation is very risky and ineffective, since it can provoke the growth of metastases, which most often appear in the lungs of the animal. Indications for a successful operation on a rat are the feasibility of the operation itself and the good condition of the animal (normal weight and appetite, absence of other diseases, not too old). Mastopathy is not operated on - it makes sense to wait for the appearance and growth of the tumor and remove it, and the best option would be to try to cure mastopathy in the early stages with the help of drugs that can be bought in a regular, “human” pharmacy. Some of them stop the production of the hormone prolactin in the pituitary gland, while others regulate the functions of the ovaries; The combined use of both medications gives the best effect. The type of drug and its dose are prescribed by the veterinarian - depending on the weight, age, condition of the rat and the stage of development of the disease.
There is a way to prevent tumors of the mammary glands - either the rat must give birth at least once (but this measure does not give a 100% result!), or it must be castrated at a young age, from about 5 to 7-8 months. The fact is that the formation of mammary adenoma is hormonal in nature and is associated with ovarian hormones, which are released in greater quantities than necessary, as well as with the function of the pituitary gland.
Abscesses in rats can also be caused by mycoplasma or other infection, decreased immunity, or manifest themselves as phenomena accompanying a particular disease or the consequences of injuries (scratching, biting, wounds on the body). An abscess is a round, regular-shaped cavity filled with pus, soft to the touch (unlike a tumor) and surrounded by connective tissue. Most abscesses arise under the skin of the animal and open on their own, however, if the abscess has not burst within 3-5 days, it must be disposed of by entrusting this work to specialists in a veterinary clinic.
To speed up the opening of the abscess, its “top” should be regularly lubricated with iodine for 1-2 days, and after the pus has come out, treat the resulting wound, washing it with a solution of chlorhexidine and placing Levomekol ointment into the cavity of the former abscess. Where can an abscess form? First of all, on the surface of the rat’s body or paws, as well as on the head, in the ear area. If the ear canal is affected by an abscess, you cannot do without medical help, because the consequences of the formation and opening of such an abscess are very dangerous!
Often an abscess also forms near the ear, below the auricle - such a rat also needs to be urgently taken to a veterinarian because this is also a problem area and wounds after such an abscess heal extremely poorly. In male rats, in the lower abdomen there are so-called parauretal glands, which are two symmetrically located hollow canals (in females this canal is one).
Often abscesses occur in this area and are visible as lumps under the skin; they must be opened by contacting a veterinarian, and then the site of the former abscess should be treated according to his recommendations. Injuries in rats are quite rare, but they should also be reported. In most cases, rats are injured in games and comic fights that they periodically arrange among themselves, as well as if you use a homemade cage or one that is not suitable for these rodents (inconvenient location of floors, too narrow or, conversely, wide gaps between the rods, inconvenient ladders and other climbing structures). A rat can also get injured in old age, especially if it has poor coordination due to some disease. Bruises in rats heal quite quickly, and fractures also heal on their own, however, if you notice lameness, swelling of the limb and other symptoms, you should consult a veterinarian.
Despite the fact that in case of dislocations and fractures, the rat’s limb is not fixed, the animal can be helped by prescribing treatment with painkillers and/or anti-inflammatory drugs that eliminate pain and speed up recovery. It is better not to use these drugs on your own, especially without knowing the dosage and methods of their administration; in addition, some of them have contraindications. Bites, scratches, and small wounds are not dangerous for rats if they are detected in time and treated with Levomekol ointment or Fukortsin solution.
Much more serious and dangerous than bleeding from injuries is that a rat can get hurt or tear off its own claw (there are blood vessels in the rat’s claws, so trimming an animal’s claws must be done with special care, cutting off only the light part of the overgrown claw!). You can stop minor bleeding yourself by using hydrogen peroxide, however, if this does not help, you should inject a hemostatic drug (Decinon, Vikasol, etc.).
If there is uterine bleeding, you must urgently drop everything and go to the clinic as soon as possible (after injecting the rat with Decinon). Tail injuries are usually characterized by the skin peeling off the tip of the rat's tail, leaving it painful and vulnerable. After such an injury, the disfigured section of the tail dies, but until this happens, it causes unbearable pain and discomfort to the rat.
The best solution is to treat the injured area with Levomekol or Depanthenol ointment and consult a doctor who can surgically amputate the tip of the tail. Dental diseases in rats are quite rare and are usually associated with other diseases, injuries (most often), and the growth of tumors on the face (in the jaw area). And also in old age, when the animal’s muscle tone decreases (including the chewing muscles) and the rat cannot or does not want to eat hard and rough food, and for some reason is not able to regularly grind its teeth on its own.
Grinding of teeth occurs as follows: the incisors (front teeth) of a rat are covered with enamel only in the area of the front wall, while the back wall of the tooth is devoid of it, so they are sharpened and take a chisel shape.
Anna Kurtz
Decorative rats and pet hamsters live on average about two years in captivity. Some absolutely healthy animals rarely live up to three years. The lifespan of a rodent is influenced by many factors, including heredity, care, balanced nutrition, and disease prevention.
The older the rat or hamster, the greater the likelihood that the animal will develop a tumor of one kind or another. The cause of death for almost every mature rat at home is a malignant neoplasm.
The prerequisites for the development of tumors are bruises, falls, poor nutrition, and irregular sex life of our animals, which, naturally, is the result of keeping a rodent at home, because in nature, female rats can give up to eight litters a year, and hamsters - up to four.
Rodent tumors are divided into benign and malignant.
Benign tumors develop quickly in the body, but unlike malignant tumors, they do not metastasize, that is, they do not spread to other parts of the body. Typically, such tumors do not cause the death of the animal, but in advanced cases they grow to such an extent that it can no longer take care of itself normally. Benign tumors are almost always easy to remove surgically, and therefore the prognosis in this case is favorable.
Malignant tumors or cancer metastasize to adjacent tissues and organs. In small animals such as rats and hamsters, cancer in most cases affects the internal organs, and surgery becomes impossible. In this case, the animal lives out its life or, in advanced cases, it has to be euthanized.
Neoplasms in internal organs
In rats, tumors of internal organs are practically undetectable. Often they cannot be detected until the very late stage, and the symptoms of the disease are extremely vague. A specialist can palpate tumors in the abdominal cavity and do an ultrasound, but the most effective is a biopsy (taking material for cytology).
A caring owner should pay attention to any bloody discharge from the natural orifices of his pet: coughing with blood, sneezing, discharge from the vagina, urethra, feces with blood, blood in the corners of the eyes. Liver tumors lead to intoxication and weakness; intestinal damage leads to defecation disorders, and in later stages - intestinal obstruction. If you notice such symptoms, immediately contact a specialist.
Treatment
Treatment of neoplasms of internal organs is carried out surgically; the specifics of the operation depend on the histological structure, location and stage of tumor development. Similar surgical interventions are performed in our clinic.
Breast tumors
Females are most prone to developing benign tumors of the mammary glands, although sometimes this disease is also diagnosed in males. The rodent owner can easily notice such tumors himself.
Fibroadenomas (fibro - connective tissue, aden - gland, oma - benign tumor) can be either soft to the touch or hard, sometimes even hard, like cartilage. Benign tumors of the mammary glands are encapsulated; a dense lump is usually palpable under the skin, sometimes several nodules at once. If the tumor is tightly attached to the underlying tissue, then this may be a sign of its malignancy. Most often, breast tumors appear under the armpits, as well as in the groin area and on the abdomen. The rate of tumor development depends mainly on the functional activity and size of the glands. Long-term hormonal disorders, false pregnancy, and lack of natural feeding of offspring contribute to the development of mammary gland tumors. Accordingly, normal functioning of the mammary glands reduces the likelihood of tumors developing on them.
A tumor of the mammary glands (mastopathy) can degenerate into a malignant formation with germination into the peritoneal wall, or it can go away without a trace. In any case, if you notice suspicious swellings on the chest and abdomen of your animal, you should contact a specialist.
Treatment
In the case of benignity and in the initial stages of cancer, the operation is not particularly difficult, and the rat’s chances of a complete cure and a quick recovery are high. In the later stages of tumor development, its radical excision involving surrounding tissue is required. The prognosis in this case is not always favorable: relapses and metastases may occur. In general, the operated animal can live for about another year.
Neoplasms on the skin, tumors of the subcutaneous tissue and bones
You can easily notice external tumors in your rodent yourself. Most often, such tumors are found on the skin, external genitalia, and paws. Outwardly, they look like seals under the skin, but the coat is not damaged. A tumor on the skin can easily be confused with a cyst or papilloma, so if you find suspicious formations on your animal’s skin, contact a specialist immediately.
Bone neoplasms
A common bone disease in rats and mice is osteosarcoma. If the limbs are damaged, the animal stops actively moving and may even stop standing on its feet. When the skull and ribs are affected, a dense thickening on the bone is clearly palpable upon palpation. Osteoma can easily be confused with a bruise or arthritis, so the veterinarian makes a final diagnosis only after studying the results of cytology and x-rays of the affected area.
Treatment
Treatment of skin tumors and neoplasms of subcutaneous tissue is carried out exclusively by surgery. Timely contact with a specialist increases the animal’s chances of a complete cure. Osteosarcoma is a serious disease; most rodents cope poorly with it and die within six months.
What to look for
In order to promptly recognize one or another neoplasm in an animal, and accordingly, take measures to cure it, it is necessary to regularly examine the animal’s body. You should pay special attention to the following symptoms:
1. The animal has become lethargic, loses appetite, weight, and has difficulty getting up from its place.
2. Enlarged peripheral lymph nodes, local baldness, and the appearance of hernias.
3. Impaired excretion of urine and feces.
4. Refusal of food, general depression of the rodent’s body, pallor of the mucous membranes.
All these symptoms may indicate cancer processes occurring in the rodent’s body, but you should not suspect a tumor for any single symptom. The final diagnosis should be carried out by a specialist after a comprehensive study; the owner’s task is to seek help in a timely manner.
How to reduce the risk of tumor development in your animal:
1. Choose a male rodent, as males are less likely to develop mammary tumors.
2. Neuter your rat. This can be done at any age, but the best period is considered to be between three and six months of life.
3. Give your pet low-calorie, low-fat food. Fresh fruits and vegetables (with the exception of soy, broccoli and tomatoes) will be especially useful.
4. In some cases, it is possible to prescribe immunostimulants for prophylactic purposes.
