The DUDE-Mar. 12- Boy's Nuggets Swollen

[stosh2010]

The Dude's Nuggets (aka balls) are swollen on his right side...and one is VERY hard to the touch.
He has been grooming and licking them for over a week, but I did not realize that one side is enlarged and tight as a drum.
He is not reacting to our handling him, so I do not believe they are tender or sore.
BUT- something ---is definitely WRONG and I (we) need advice on my next step----

I hope it is a non-issue...and that we can get this off the Emergency forum...but I also did not want to down play it.

I am open to all advice.

299341299342

[Diggie's Friend]

http://ratguide.com/health/neoplasia/testicular_tumors.php

This may shed some light on what this is. I would be glad to send a photo to a vet I know to see what they would have to say about it; just need a photo of the area.

[Diggie's Friend]

http://ratguide.com/health/figures/testicular_tumor_figure_1.php

Keep in mind with a fast metabolism there can be fast changes, fast growth.

[stosh2010]

http://ratguide.com/health/neoplasia/testicular_tumors.php

This may shed some light on what this is. I would be glad to send a photo to a vet I know to see what they would have to say about it; .

I learned a lot from that website. Good descriptions, operation notes, follow up,and meds prescribed....
http://ratguide.com/health/figures/neuter_figure_1.php
__________________________________________________ _


Even though it is rare in rats for testicular tumors to metastasize to other areas of the body; the recommended treatment for these tumors is orchiectomy (neutering or removal of the testicles). This is because the inevitable growth of these tumors can cause ureteral and bowel obstruction.
__________________________________________________ _____


I now need to see if my local vet feels confident in doing procedures on small rodents....( That is----If I decide to proceed with any surgery.)

[Diggie's Friend]

When it comes to rodents, an incubator or heat lamp during surgery and post-op is vital, for when respiration is slowed, as well as when coming out of anesthesia, the body temperature drops.

Feeding before surgery was encouraged by our vet to keep up blood sugar up for this reason also. Feeding what is easily digested, fruit, nuts, but not raw greens noted by mammalogist as harder to digest than nuts, and cause gas if not predigesed by cooking them by blanching (leafy green), or boiling (stalked vegetables chopped). Keeping a sugar syrup on hand is needful after surgery, as teh meal only goes so far and it takes about a day for the anesthesia to fully wear off.

[stosh2010]

When it comes to rodents, an incubator or heat lamp during surgery and post-op is vital, for when respiration is slowed, as well as when coming out of anesthesia, the body temperature drops.

Feeding before surgery was encouraged by our vet to keep up blood sugar up for this reason also. Feeding what is easily digested, fruit, nuts, but not raw greens noted by mammalogist as harder to digest than nuts, and cause gas if not predigesed by cooking them by blanching (leafy green), or boiling (stalked vegetables chopped). Keeping a sugar syrup on hand is needful after surgery, as teh meal only goes so far and it takes about a day for the anesthesia to fully wear off.

In the videos attached the vet used Isoflurane gas (as does my vet). In our experience---Our squirrels are acting normal within minutes of gas removal. After 30 minutes they are totally normal.
Does ISO have a 24 hour residual effect ??

[Diggie's Friend]

This is not to say that they won't be moving around in a few hours; it really depends on how long they are under anesthesia. For the longer they are under, the more saturated their tissues become, ergo the longer it takes for the drug to clear their system.

[Diggie's Friend]

Were your squirrels put under for a few minutes to do a blood draw, or to trim their teeth or nails, or an X ray?

For all those non invasive procedures they should recover rather quickly, just as you've described. Our girl did the same after rshe was put under for a tumor biospy; yet when being put under for major surgery, be that neutering, spaying, or tumor removal, they don't recover so quickly. For one most vets take more time to do these procedures if not having worked much with exotics. Our girl was placed into an incubator for about 25 plus minutes to recover and be monitored before they gave her back to us. When she did get up it was late in the evening; she began moving slowly, then wanting to climb up and down off her nest platform that was low to the ground. The Vet told me to stop giving the narcotic, as she needed to rest after the surgery, and this was enabling her not to do so.