Old rat has hard cheek swelling. Is it an abscess or something else?

Poor Dobby! While an abscess is definitely likely, especially if there is bleeding and discharge in the area, other things such as a growth may be to blame. The abscess may be caused by an infected wound or a pressure sore. It is a pretty painful condition that can spread to the underlying bone. It would be best to have Dobby looked at by a vet who can prescribe oral antibiotics and pain medication for him as soon as possible. I would be happy to answer any other questions you may have or look at photos of Dobby's foot!

Lumps on rats are commonly caused by tumors or abscesses. You will need to get this mass sampled by your vet to determine which is most likely so that the appropriate treatment is recommended. If it is a tumor the surgical removal will be recommended and a prognosis provided depending on what type of tumor it is. If it is an abscess then oral antibiotics and drainage of the infected contents is the treatment needed.

Thanks for reaching out about Yuki and including photos. Soft masses in the axilla or inguinal areas, are often mammary in nature. Most mammary tumors in rats are benign but not all. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a treatment plan. A second possibility is a fatty tumor (lipoma) which are also benign. Good luck.

This could be an abscess, a hernia or a tumor. Unfortunately tumors are common in rats, so if this started small and then grew to this size over time, it is likely a tumor. A tumor in this area is relatively easy to remove if you don't let it get too big, as the surgeon needs enough healthy skin to close the wound again after surgery. A hernia can be easily repaired surgically. You can check whether it is a hernia by gently pressing on the lump and if you can make it disappear into the abdomen, it is a hernia. An abscess will need to be lanced and your rat will need antibiotics. I suggest you schedule an appointment with a veterinarian soon.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Gilrat. I recommend that he sees a veterinarian. A procedure known as a fine needle aspirate is typically performed when a pet has a mass present. A small needle is used to collect a sample of cells to evaluate under the microscope. This allows the doctor to tell you the type of mass and if treatment is required for him. I hope this information helps!

Unfortunately, senior rats are predisposed to developing malignancies late rin life. To confirm this, you will need to have Dobby examined by your veterinarian. A fine needle aspirate can be done in the clinic to collect samples for pathology. Once results are returned, you can discuss treatment options with your vet. Monitor for bleeding, ulceration, odor, lethargy or decreased appetite. Keep him on paper towels and change them daily or as needed to keep the area clean and dry.

You are right in thinking this is unusual for a mouse. It is possible for food to get caught in the space between the chewing teeth and the cheek. Sometimes this happens if the there is dental disease, particularly a malocclusion of the teeth. It is possible for the food pellet to be too dry and that is why it could be lodged/stuck there. Lastly, there could be tissue swelling, such as a dental abscess that is at this location and it is not food at all. If your mouse will let you safely look in the mouth using a q-tip or a popsicle stick, I would start there. You may need a flashlight to help you be able to see as well. If this causes Nutmeg to stop eating, traumatize the skin around the mouth and become lethargic, then I recommend having her examined by your veterinarian.