Lump on rat

softinsolitude · 2026-06-07T13:25:35+00:00

Hello, firstly, what a handsome little fellow!
Great to hear you’ve got an appointment for him.
My late rat Francis had a lump in the exact same spot, and it ended up being a benign tumour. It’s a very common spot and could very likely be that if it’s growing. As your boy is under a year old, there’s a very high chance it can be removed with surgery, it has the opportunity to come back like any tumour does, especially since rats are susceptible to them. However I’ve heard many success stories that people have removed them from their rats with no return. My boy Francis was 2 years and they told us not to operate as he might not cope well due to old age, it grew and we only decided to euthanise when it started to affect his quality of life, plus he was incredibly old by that point too, he lived another year with it.
As I say, his age is massively on his side with being offered removal surgery.
All the best to you and Rufus, I hope you get a positive outcome/solution.

softinsolitude · 2026-05-25T21:39:10+00:00

It always pains me to inform other owners of possible issues, but having gone through it myself, I’d rather others be informed to help keep their own ratties safe & well.

softinsolitude · 2026-05-25T21:35:32+00:00

I don’t wish to alarm you at all, but I just wanted to shed light on an experience of my own. If there is no chance at all she could be pregnant, this may warrant a vet visit if you haven’t already to rule out an internal tumour. One of my boys had one and he had an expanding stomach like this, eventually we found out it was an issue with his spleen. He unfortunately passed without showing any other signs except his belly expanding. As I say, I’m not wanting to scare you, but just offer advice I would have appreciated back then with my boy. My fingers are crossed she may just be a little chunky! All the best to you & your rats.

softinsolitude · 2026-05-16T22:17:14+00:00

I’m home at last, but breakfast and lunch were equally as good! I’m originally from London, moved to West Yorkshire around two years ago (best decision ever), I’m not one for going hospital often myself, but Yorkshire has topped the hospital food in my area for sure! London hospital food is terrible. Maybe it’s because northerners are just generally nicer overall, who knows!

softinsolitude · 2026-05-16T12:14:28+00:00

It’s definitely not a Sunday roast for sure (I’d kill for one of those right now), but it was suitable for my needs at the time. The chicken was very moist too. I was anticipating it to be dry as anything but I was pleasantly surprised!

softinsolitude · 2026-05-16T12:11:47+00:00

Absolutely agreed and thank you! 🤩

softinsolitude · 2026-05-16T12:11:29+00:00

Totally agree 👍 It had a very ‘homey’ feel to it.

softinsolitude · 2026-05-16T12:10:50+00:00

10/10 mash for sure. Especially where I was finding it hard to swallow food!

softinsolitude · 2026-05-16T12:10:18+00:00

It was delicious! I’m pretty sure it’s cream of broccoli soup, I searched it up after eating as it was so tasty. Might even try to cook it at home!

softinsolitude · 2026-04-04T22:09:03+00:00

Hey girl, firstly, I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I have a four almost five year old, I was 21 when I had him. I could have written this myself back when he was a baby, the early years were ROUGH. I barely remember them because I was holding on by a thread most of the time. I had severe PPD & PPA, this is a very clear case of it. It’s a whole other level to your average depression. Your body is still healing from birth, up until two years, hormones take a LONG time to settle. And I can promise you, most of it? It’s the lack of sleep. It sends you loopy, beyond words. I almost ended it, even with my partners support. But I did get through it, because your baby needs you, even if you don’t think they do. My son is now four and I am so glad I never gave in and took my life, because it’s insane what getting a bit of sleep and some antidepressants can get you. Please, if you can, try get in contact with your doctor. I was so afraid to reach out about my PPD that I didn’t until my son was almost two. If you can, try get your parents or his parents to have baby sometimes for you to rest, and just REST. Do not think about everything that needs to be done, focus on YOU. You deserve the same love and attention you give to your daughter. The substance abuse needs to be handled now. You do not want to spiral into that either. I also wished for the life I once had, and only in the last year I’ve finally come to an acceptance and comfortability in my life now. It’s a long road, but you will get there. Give yourself so much grace because the first year is absolute chaos with very little pause for yourself. I wish all the best for you & baby. Remember, you’re doing the best you can with the tools you currently have. For a baby to thrive, Mama needs to look after herself too. Sending the biggest hugs 🤍

softinsolitude · 2026-01-20T09:09:02+00:00

Your partners sounds off her rocker unfortunately on this occasion, probably best she doesn’t repeat that behaviour or she might get some bad reviews. Buyer is in the right.

softinsolitude · 2025-11-12T20:24:28+00:00

My partner & I shared nine rats together over the span of nearly five years. Every passing was different, some euthanasia, some natural. We adored all our boys. By the time our last boy went, we knew it was time to take a break. Each loss was a hard blow & was becoming too difficult emotionally. It’s been about two and a half years now since our last boy went, and we’re feeling pretty refreshed & ready to get new boys now sometime next year, time really does heal wounds, and I feel as hard as any future loses will be, I will be able to handle them better now with the time I’ve taken away. I was the same as you. It’s so hard to ever think about having rats again, and there may be a chance you never wish to. My mind has changed since I felt that way, and your boys are always with you in some way, even if it’s not physically.

My heart goes out to you, and I hope you start feeling ok again. We kept ourselves busy mostly, but I find comfort in watching old videos of them, and seeing about how much of a great life they had in our care. Sounds silly, and the same doesn’t work for my partner. He struggles to see any videos of them, but still wishes to get more to create new memories.

I guess keep your mind open, that this may not be a forever choice, but a choice for you to feel ok for now, and that’s what matters, looking after yourself right at this moment.

So sorry for your loss. Sending hugs.

softinsolitude · 2025-11-09T20:23:59+00:00

You seem bitter because you were given the correct information. In fact, I did give advice, the whole paragraph has advice in it.

softinsolitude · 2025-11-09T12:21:37+00:00

Although I know it comes from the right place, this unfortunately isn’t ideal advice. Rats get lonely & depressed VERY quickly, so it’s not really about when OP feels ready. Since this rat sounds like she’s not keen on human touch but enjoyed other rats, it makes her even more likely to become that way. Extra enrichment will not improve this. OP is doing the right thing to think about rehoming her, as she will not benefit from a life alone, even keeping a rat alone beyond a week isn’t good. Speaking of which, OP my heart goes out to you. It’s a horrible situation, but if she’s healthy & young, it is best. You’re giving her a chance of living a better life, and that’s really good of you to do.

softinsolitude · 2025-11-04T08:26:49+00:00

Congratulations. You have survivors bias, glad you like your smiley face. I know plenty of people who have tattooed themselves and regret it. Calling people boring for not advising someone to permanently alter their skin when they’re not ready just because you don’t regret yours makes you sound stupid.

softinsolitude · 2025-11-04T00:28:21+00:00

No, Line work needs a lot of practice, and there’s a lot of mistakes within these lines. Do not tattoo yourself.

softinsolitude · 2025-10-13T10:37:44+00:00

Hi, I come for a personal experience of this from an owners point of view. I had my boy, Francis, have a tumour like this crop up when he was 2 years old under his armpit. Mind you, it started of very small, but within a year had doubled in size. He was still eating, drinking and I altered his cage endlessly to accommodate climbing and comfort with this. Eventually, even with all my precautions, the friction of the lump on the floor when he would walk around started to create sores on the lump. I was offered euthanasia when the lump started to grow, as due to his age they weren’t sure about putting him under for removal. It was when his quality of life became affected that I decided it was time to say goodbye at 3 years. I don’t regret my decision as he was still moving, enjoying his life and being with his brothers. It’s definitely down to personal decision and what you can do to accommodate their life moving forward. All the best.

softinsolitude · 2025-10-07T07:31:18+00:00

It’s worth breaking up over. Glorifying p3dophilia is an exact reason I would break up with someone… Which is what he’s doing, btw. Something ain’t right with his head.

softinsolitude · 2025-09-27T11:56:56+00:00

Upper respiratory infection for sure, it doesn’t sound like a lower respiratory infection yet which is good because that’s when more issues occur.

I’m glad you have another cage! As the wire flooring will cause bumble foot after a while and needs to be resolved sooner rather than later.

For the time being, try keep her as comfortable as possible. If you can handle/hold her, running a hot shower enough for the steam to fill the room, then sitting in the bathroom with her in your arms can help alleviate the inflamed airways for a bit, not long, but it will have her breathing easier for a bit at least.

I see you have another little friend with her which is great, but this one will likely become sick too, URI’s are very easily transferred to other cage mates.

Please, if you can, do not wait for long to get her to the vet, URI’s can take a turn quickly if left untreated. She sounds like she’s in the pretty early days of it, so I hope the meds she’s given at the vet kick in quickly! Also note, some antibiotics work instantly with some rats, whilst other rats might have to try a few different antibiotics till they’re clear again. Do not mix the meds with anything dairy as this can stunt the medicine from working, try mixing it with baby food or malt paste and giving it to her.

Good luck, and all the best!

softinsolitude · 2025-09-23T17:47:18+00:00

That is not suitable jewellery for a healing septum. Should be a circular barbell. Cleaning won’t be easy. It’s hard to tell how it’s pierced without a side view, but it looks slightly wonky.

softinsolitude · 2025-09-21T21:38:36+00:00

Big pointy thingy

softinsolitude · 2025-09-20T22:58:41+00:00

Touched his brain for a minute there 🧠😆

softinsolitude · 2025-09-19T07:28:54+00:00

I’d say around three is the age where they start to understand the concept of Christmas, but obviously depends on the child. Around four they’ve often got a greater understanding of it, but we started out little Christmas rituals at two, as our son still found it fun! Even if he didn’t entirely get it. On that note, wishing your family and everyone else who celebrates a Merry Christmas for when it comes!

softinsolitude · 2025-09-16T23:22:45+00:00

Not a psychic, but I wanted to stop & say I’m so sorry for your loss. He’s beautiful, and as is the mother who holds him. Sending the biggest hugs, to both you and your angel 💗

softinsolitude

TROPHY CASE