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> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Scent Gland tumor
> Date: 10 November 2000 20:14
>
> Hi Everyone,
> Well I have just discovered a very visible scent gloand tumor on one
of
> the two of my oldest gerbs. Wolf and Voodoo are brothers and are 2.4
years
> old. I discovered Wolf had a tumor today when I was feeding them. He
stood
> up to investigate and I saw it. I checked Voodoo and he appears to not
have
> any tumors. My question is this...I know the older animals (and humans)
get
> the riskyer surgery becomes. I really don't know if Wolf would be able
to
> under go the surgery at his age. Do you all think I should just let it
go
> and let him live his life like it is...or should I risk surgery? Any
input
> would be wonderful.
>
> Jessi
>
> PS- Wolf doesn't appear to be in any pain at all....do these tumors cause
> much pain if any at all?
Hi Jessi,
Sorry to hear about your problem. I will give you the facts as I see them,
but the final decision is up to you. I don't know where you live, but in
some countries, surgery on rodents can be quite expensive and vets may not
be willing to undertake it.
Scent gland tumours are relatively easy to remove when they are small. It
is almost certain that Wolf would make a complete recovery. According to
my vet, gerbils are second to rats as being the easiest small animals to
anaethetise and rarely suffer any complications from it. At 2.4 years,
Wolf could expect to live another 9-12 months. He is currently middle
aged, not old.
Without surgery, the tumour would eventually kill Wolf. Scent gland
tumours are not usually cancerous, but they do grow. They often grow
inwards as well as outwards and then can get in the way of vital organs.
Some grow quickly resulting in death within weeks, others grow very slowly.
The tumour itself does not cause pain. At least I think it doesn't
because the gerbil continues to behave normally. Howevere the tumour has
been caused by Wolf continually marking his territory. He will continue to
do this. All gerbils do this and a pair of males tend to do it more than a
mixed sex or female pair. Sooner or later the tumour is going to start to
bleed and will probably get infected. When this happens, he is likely to
feel sore. Antibiotic treatment will then be necessary.
Cheers
Sue
