We have a rat named Zira, who is about 2-1/2 years old (pretty old for a rat). She has watched her 3 rat friends die of various causes and has remained the last one for the past 6 months or so.
Rob and I first noticed her tumor several months ago. It started off pretty innocent looking. Then it turned a little black and hard. Next thing we know, there is no tumor, just a big red hole in her side. With all of her parts showing inside. No blood or anything, just a hole. Our theory is that she ate her tumor. We figured she would die shortly after, but she's had the hole for about a month!
In the past week, she has grown 2 new tumors (both still intact for the moment). The problem is that her old tumor's hole seems to be getting bigger and her intestines are starting to droop out a bit. I dread looking at her cage for fear that her intestines might get caught on the bars of the cage and end up ripped out and strewn through the cage. Luckily that hasn't happened, although that would at least mean it's the end of her.
Did I mention the smell?
Sorry I don't have any pictures. She moves too quickly to take a good picture of the hole. She's amazingly active and happy! I guess that's good news.
I truly think that had she not gnawed off her tumor, she wouldn't be alive today. So the lesson here is that if you get a tumor, chew it off and you'll live a long and happy life.
