Mr Higgins tail - should I let them amputate?

[Louise]

I have money to take Mr. Higgins to the vet with his tail.  His lump is still getting bigger and it looks gross.  I feel so bad for him.  It's going to cost about $300 but I'm am worried about just how big it's going to get if we do nothing.

The vet said she would try and remove the lump (we don't know what it is at this point), but that if it was too big the only option might be to amputate his tail.

I hate the thought of that, especially after reading the recent post on tail amuputations.  I had figured it would be like loosing a limb for him, but now I'm worried because it regulates his temerature too.

Hopefully she will be able to remove the lump, but if she can't should I let her amputate or not?  He's such a friendly fellah, I feel horrible doing this to him.  At present the lump doesn't bother him, he ignores it completely, but it's definitely getting bigger and I've noticed it's starting to drag on the ground when he's walking.  He did something to the tip of his tail a couple of weeks ago and I was horrified how much it bled.  Fortunately we got it stopped, but I'm thinking if something happens to his lump that's probably going to bleed even more.

Oh, poor Mr. H.  does anyone have any words of wisdom?

[Anmllvr731]

Hi Louise, I absolutely understand your hesitancy with this, I think I'd feel the same way. But honestly it sounds like the best option at this point. If it were my rat, I would let the vet do it.
I'll be keeping you and Mr. Higgins in my thoughts, best wishes for you both that everything works out ok.

[kmw]

Oh Louise, what a position to be in!    To me, it sounds like something is going to have to be done - if it means amputation, Mr. Higgins can learn to operate without his tail - Scout had a surgically tailless rat who adapted quite well after about a month.  As for temperature regulation - unless you typically enjoy temperature extremes in the house, a rat, tailed or not, should be comfortable as well

[sunshine9]

This a tough situation to be in.  I agree that if the vet feels that it should be amputated then I would follow his advice.  If let, he could develop an infection and the outcome could be far worse  He will learn how to live without his tail.  Just watch the temps in the house!

[Marybelle]

I would think that if it's a choice between his life and his tail, I'd let his tail go.  It'll take some adjustment on both your parts, but it's far better than the alternative, especially if she's not completely successful at removing the lump.  I can understand that you'd be worried, but even though he might take some time to adjust, it's probably the best thing for him.

[pegc]

What a dilemma! I must agree with the others, I would do the amputation.

Most animals do extremely well after having limbs or tails amputated.

Their period of adjustment is usually quite rapid, since unlike us, they do not realize they are different.

Good luck with sweet Mr. Higgins!

[scout]

If money is no object, I'd try having the lump removed first. If that doesn't work, then you could amputate the tail. I had a rat who had her tail amputated at the base after an accident. She did do just fine (lived to be 2 1/2) after she learned to balance. She would get hot before the other ratties, but they all liked to hang out on a covered ice pack when it was hot (no AC in my house). And she absolutely loved fishing for peas. It's really not that much more to worry about if you already take good care of your rats. I wouldn't let the little extra care needed keep you from having the amputation if that's what's needed. Good luck and keep us posted. Scritches to Mr. Higgins!

[Ms. Jingles]

Oh Louise - I'm so sorry that you have to go through this! I was getting ready for work this morning and Matthew came running to tell me about sweet Mr. Higgins and I couldn't believe it.  He was very upset about it which I don't blame him.

My personal opinion would be to see if they can remove the lump first with permission to remove his tail if they can't.  If it were Mr. Jingles I wouldn't hesitate to amputate to save his life.  But of course, that's easily said...I'm not going through it.

Matt and I will keep you and Mr. Higgins in our thoughts and prayers.  Mr. Jingles sends him and you rattie kisses too!

[Ali]

Oh Louise, sorry you have to make such a tough decision. I don't have a great deal to add that the others haven't said - I agree that maybe trying the lump removal is the best option, with the amputation if absolutely necessary. If this lump turns out to be something nasty, then it's far better to have a tailess rat than no rat. I'm sure Mr Higgins would adapt quickly - and remember, animals don't worry about these things in the same way that we do! He'll adapt without going into depression about having lost his tail!

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do and ratty hugs to Mr H.
Ali

[Louise]

Thanks for all your kind thoughts.  I'm waiting for the vet to call me and I'll see what she says.  At the minute I'm planning on telling her that I would like the lump removed one way or another, amputation being the last resort.  I'll let you all know how it pans out.  I'm hoping he can have his surgery next week some time.

[luckies4me]

 :( I am sorry for your little ratty friend! Hope everything turns out ok. Keep us all posted, will you? I agree with what the others have said, try to remove the lump first and then amputate if neccesary. Where is the lump located? If it is at the end of the tail maybe you can have them just remove part of the tail and leave a sort of knob, to regulate temps better? Just a thought. Here is an article that I wrote about the tailess rat, includes info on surgically changed rats. Hope you find it useful.

http://www.geocities.com/luckies4me/TheTailessRat.html

[Aileen]

Louise:

We were wondering where the lump is on Mr Higgins tail.
Because if it is only half way up, we thought it might be neccessary or advisable to have the tail removed only below that point.
That way, Mr H would still get some use from what was left.
Maybe Scout or someone else could advise.

Paul and Aileen

[Louise]

The lump is about 1/4 of the way down his tail from his body.  I'm still hoping that she'll be able to just remove it, it's possible if she did have to amputate that he'd have a bit of a stump left.

I keep thinking of him trying to balance on the edge of his cage and thinking "somethings not quite right here", or going to wash his tail and not being able to find it!  

[Marybelle]

He may miss his tail for a bit, but you'd be surprised at how fast animals recover from missing limbs.  I don't know if you've seen animal planets amazing animal videos, but they had a show where a dog and a cat both got hit by cars and had to have both legs on one side removed.  They were both running and playing like nothing had happened!  It's funny, but we really seem to be the only animals that look to the number of limbs someone has to define "normal".  I think he'll be fine if they have to amputate, but sending good wishes that they'll just be able to remove the lump.

[Valerie]

I wouldn't hesitate to have his tail amputated.  Some of you may remember my new girl who I got after a traumatic amputation.  She is recovering well and doesn't seem to have any balance problems.  Not having a tail isn't that big of deal to her.  She climbs and runs and everything.  I kept her in a one level cage for a week to make sure that she was recovered before she went hopping around too much, but that is all the special care that she requires.  I don't even think that I would go with the lumpectomy... too much risk of leaving a part there to have it regrow.  Tail amputation sounds like the better option to me.   Good luck with Mr. Higgins and my girlie Tara sends her all the stumpy good wishes and healing vibes she can.

Valerie and the Brood de Brux