Spaying... and effect on older rats

[BlueMoonGoddess]

I'm thinking of having my 2 younger girls spayed, but I'm not really sure if it's worth the risk... please help me decide! Here are the points I am considering:

~ They're 5 months old, and they have myco.
~ Their cagemates are 18 months old and show no signs of tumors (they are not spayed)
~ My vet seems to have some experience with rat surgery, though I don't know how much.
~ I know someone brought up the point that younger-rat hormones may help to prevent tumors in older rats. If the young girls are spayed, will there be less of whatever hormone it is?  

Please let me know what you think!

[jp]

My one rat that had mammary tumors didn't get them until after 2 years of age.  So you're other girls my still get them.  Since going through the tumor issue with my one rat I now have all my female spayed at about 5 months of age.  My oldest girl just turned a year so I won't know for a while if it worked.  You want your vet to have a 95% or mortality rate.  The vet I have is very experienced with rats including surgeries.  You want someone with a lot of experience.  I would talk to your vet about the spays she has done.  Are there any other rat vets in your area?  Here is a link on tumors in rats that may help.

http://www.ratfanclub.org/tumors.html

[Louise]

aren't these surgery decisions the pits!  I did read that spaying greatly reduces the risk of tumors - down to about 4% I think - Ali will probably tell you, she has experience in this area.

I agree with jp - find out as much info as you can from your vet and if you are not sure, go ahead and ask other vets.  I don't know how you would ever find out if the hormone thing would have an effect on your other girls, unless you were lucky enough to find some research facts on the web.

Good luck with whatever you decide,  darn ratties - can't live without 'em, can't afford to live with 'em!