Seeking advice for elderly rat!!!
Hello guys! I'm just trying to get some opinions. My husband and I have been faced with a difficult problem. Our 3 year old rat has developed another tumor. She's had 2 tumors in the same spot already, and during her last mass removal the vet had to remove some skin. It left a pretty big, itchy scar.
It's been about 4-5 months since her last surgery. We went to the vet about this recent one, and the vet said she would advise against another surgery given our girl's age. She said at this age she's on borrowed time, and she would hate for her to be in pain for 2 weeks post surgery only for her to go a different way. But she also said if we wanted to try the surgery, she would do it because she felt she was in such good health that she's not worried about complications.
About the only difference in our girl's behavior is she's slowing down. She has lost a small bit of weight and she naps more. She also hasn't been as excited about things like her wheat grass, for instance I got her a new one and it's been untouched in her cage for 24 hours. But she is still excited about treats and love from her favorite human, my husband. I also do want to say she is a solo rat, as she is our last rat. When her sister died a year ago we discussed options with the vet and if we should re home her, and we decided it was best for us to keep her and have her out of her cage whenever we were home with her.
Also, if we do the surgery, this would be her fourth surgery in her 3 years. She was spayed two years ago and has had 2 mass removals this year. As of now, we are using miloxicam under the vets orders to help with pain and to slow the tumor growth.
So I guess my question is has anyone else had to deal with giving a rat surgery at such an old age? And even if not, what would you do if it was your rat?
I know at the end of the day it will be our choice, but this choice feels like such a crap shoot. We either accept she will die in a month or so, or risk surgery knowing she could die during recovery or soon after...but she could also easily live a few more months to a year given her good health. I just really don't know what to do here.
