Pet mice can develop cancer.There are a lot of symptoms of cancer.They are likely to develop tumors as they age.Female mice are more prone to mammary cancer.It is not uncommon for mice to have benign tumors, but nearly all of them turn into tumors that arecancerous.In most cases tumors can be detected and treated with medication.Treatments are not always successful, and tumors in old mice are often fatal.
Step 1: It's a good idea to check your mouse for tumors once a week.
Pick up your mouse and look at it.Look at its sides, belly, chest, and upper legs.If there are any bumps that have increased in size from one week to the next, pay special attention.Male mice are more likely to develop mammary cancer.mammary tumors can show up on any part of a mouse's body due to the small body size.When your mouse is 1 year old, start inspecting it for tumors.
Step 2: Your mouse has internal tumors.
Internal tumors may be difficult to see until they have ballooned to a huge size.To palpate the mouse's stomach and lower abdomen, hold your mouse in one hand and use your fingers.Feel the fur on its shoulders, hips, and upper thighs.If you feel a lump under the mouse's skin, it could be a tumor.The tumors can protrude enough to be seen if they grow to sufficient size.
Step 3: If you notice signs of illness or weight loss, use your mouse.
You may not be able to see or feel a tumor if it is in the developing stages.It will make your mouse feel unwell, which will cause it to exhibit typical signs of sickness.If there are signs of illness in your mouse, it can be seen that it is unwell.Hunched posture when walking and refusal to move are signs of illness.Inflamed nose, ears, or eyes.A matted coat.
Step 4: You can schedule an appointment with the vet.
This type of vet knows how to identify and treat cancer in small mammals.Bring your mouse with you, and show the vet what you think is a tumor.If the lump has grown larger, tell the vet.There is an active list of small mammal exotics veterinarians.The best way to find a vet is to click on the "Find an AMEV Vet" link at the top of the home page.
Step 5: Ask the vet about the lump.
It is uncommon for mice under 1 year old to have tumors.An abscess is a lump on a young mouse.Abscesses have a similar texture to tumors.A fine needle will most likely be used by the vet to remove the cells from the lump.An antibiotic can be prescribed by the vet to clear up the lump in a few weeks.
Step 6: If the tumor is cancer-causing, you can request a biopsy.
The vet can use a scalpel or needle to take a sample from the tumor.If the tumor is benign, the vet may be able to remove it from your mouse.The biopsies will be anesthetized, so it won't bother your mouse.It may still be benign if you caught it early.Most tumors in mice caused by mammary cancer turn out to be benign.The sample may take several days to be processed.Wait to hear back about the results if you ask the vet.
Step 7: A drug can be used to prevent the tumor from meetingastasizing.
Ask your vet if a drug can be used to keep the tumor from turning into a cancer.Chemotherapy can be used to prevent the cancer from spreading to other organs.A lot of vets prescribe doxorubicin for mice.The lifespan of the mouse may be shortened by 2 or 3 months if the tumor goes away.Talk to your vet about the risks of treatment for mice.It is difficult for a mouse to get a small enough dose for proper treatment due to its small size.The risk of accidentally poisoning the mouse is higher if the dose is too high.
Step 8: If surgery is an option, ask.
Surgery is not a viable option to remove tumors from mice since the tumors will grow back quickly.In some cases, a vet may be willing to remove a benign tumor to prevent it from meetingastasizing.The surgery will cost between 50 and 150 dollars.In mice, mammary cancer can spread to other parts of the mouse and cause cancer in the lungs.
Step 9: If the quality of life of the mouse declines, it should be euthanized.
Most mammary tumors in mice are fatal.If the vet has told you that the mouse isn't going to recover, make the decision to kill it.A mouse can be painlessly euthanized with an overdose of gas anesthesia.It can be hard to let go of a pet, but if the mouse is sick it is best to put it down.