2177. Gigantic breast tumours in a 2.5-year-old cat

SUNDAY'S UNUSUAL CASE

A 2.5-year-old female rat with massive breast tumours of around 4" X 3" came in.  She was eating well despite this gigantic tumour. I found it hard to believe but she was not emaciated and looked good.

The couple decided on surgery to remove the breast tumours despite the high anaesthetic risks. I prescribed antibiotics and pain-killers for 3 days before surgery. Surgery was done with Zoletil sedation and isoflurane gas maintenance. The rat was OK within 24 hours. Now the problem was the biting of stitches. She bit off two stitches. I advised daily cleaning and covering with a bigger plaster rather than several small strips. The wound should heal by granulation.

This is an unusual case of an older fancy rat surviving anaesthesia. Do not wait till the breast tumours become bigger or malignant before removal as anaesthetic risks are higher.  Early removal saves lives.