Rats with Tumors

Rats are significantly more affectionate than many people believe, making them ideal pets for folks with limited living space. Rats are very intelligent, kind, and have distinct personalities. Rats, on the other hand, have very limited lifespans, which is typically due to their proclivity for developing tumors. 1 Because tumors in rats are so common, it's critical for rat owners to learn more about these potentially life-threatening growths.

Tumors in Rats: What Are They?

On a rat, a tumor is a lump or growth. Tumors can range from benign cysts or lipomas to malignant, cancerous tumors, which are less problematic. Some growths are harmless, but most tumors in rats grow to the point where they must be removed due to the animal's small stature. Tumors can form on a rat's skin, where they are visible, or inside, where they are not.

Mammary tumors
Lipomas
Cysts
Cancerous tumors
Brain tumors

Signs of Tumors in Rats

Difficulty walking or climbing
Pain
Weight gain
Visible lump
Increased appetite
Bulging eyes
Misshapen head
Ataxia

Different tumors may be more noticeable than others. Some tumors develop fast and are easy to identify, while others grow slowly and may go undiscovered until your rat has difficulty moving about or appears to be in discomfort when picked up.

Your rat's movement may be hindered depending on the location, which can lead to lethargy, poor appetite, and weight gain from a growing tumor. 2 However, some tumors can cause your pet rat's appetite to grow. A rat that eats a lot of food but doesn't gain weight could be suffering from a nutritional offset, in which the nutrients are being directed toward the tumor's growth.

Due to tumor development, brain tumors commonly induced neurological problems, as well as protruding eyes and a deformed skull. Rats with brain tumors may be ataxic, having difficulty moving around, or appearing unstable.

Tumors in Rats and Their Causes

The causes of tumors differ depending on the type of tumor.

Mammary tumors are fast-growing, hormone-dependent tumors that respond to both estrogen and prolactin. They are most commonly found in female rats who have not been spayed.
Lipomas, also known as fatty tumors, are fat tissue pockets that can appear anywhere on a rat's body. Their growth has been connected to no cause other than genetics, and huge growths can obstruct a pet rat's movement.
Male rats are more likely than female rats to develop cysts. Cysts are benign tumors that can be detected on a male rat's back near the sebaceous glands (unless it's a cystadenoma). A minor skin infection or ingrown hair might cause cysts to form. They are normally hard and do not grow to the same size as a lipoma or breast tumor.
Cancerous tumors - Although no one understands what causes all sorts of cancerous tumors, rats are prone to them. Cancerous tumors can appear anywhere on the body and can be caused by poor breeding or exposure to toxins.
Brain tumors - Both benign and malignant brain tumors can result from the existence of cancer or a pituitary gland dysfunction. Increased eating of high-calorie foods can also have an effect on them.

Tumor Treatment in Rats

Surgical removal of mammary tumors and big lipomas is common, especially if they are suspected of being malignant or creating ambulation problems in your rat. It can be difficult to entirely eliminate some growths, and regrowth is common.

Your veterinarian will usually lance or pop the cyst, causing the viscous fluid (or infection) to seep out. Cysts must be monitored for infection and can regenerate, necessitating surgical excision later.

Unfortunately, the brain and some types of malignant tumors are inoperable in rats. However, some cancers can be treated with medications such as Tamoxifen (for estrogen-sensitive malignancies), and nutrients such as curcumin and shark cartilage have been shown to slow the growth of tumors. 3 Rats with serious health problems, on the other hand, should be put to sleep after their quality of life has been impaired.

How to Keep Rats from Getting Tumors

Feeding a rat a nutritious, low-fat diet may help prevent malignant tumors in some rats, and multiple studies demonstrate that rats fed a diet high in miso, a soybean product, had less mammary tumors. Spaying or neutering your pet rat can help lower the risk of malignant breast tumors in the future.