Tumors, Abscesses, Cysts in Rats
Rats are prone to a variety of lumps and growths beneath their skin. Many times these are abscesses or infections that accumulate pus beneath the skin. In older rats, typically 18 months or older, cancerous tumors are more common as the cause of bumps. The tumors may be benign ones such as adenomas or lipomas, or they may be more serious ones classified as adenocarcinomas. Most tumors are readily removed at a small size and many of them do not return if the surgery was able to completely remove the growth. If you see a bump on your rat, don't wait until it gets big to get it checked.