tumor vs. abscess. + black Scent gland

[greenbelt09]

I kow there's been a few tumor threads already, but I've got a new one.

My girl Powder has what I thought was a tumor at first but now I'm not so sure, as it doesn't look at all like the one picture I found of a tumor, and I haven't found a picture of an abscess.

So if anyone has pictures of a tumor or an abscess, it would be a big help if you could post it here telling me which it is (tumor or abscess)

Also, if you don't have a picture but know what each looks like, you could still help me by trying to figure out what Powder's is... hers looks like a scab, except it's a lump. Before it was so small you could barely see it, as it was covered by her fur, but it has grown longer and bigger.
It doesn't sit directly on her scent gland as I assume a SGT would. It's on her belly but it's a little to the side of her SG, maybe touching it a little.

In addition, Powder's scent gland has always been black (not scabby though, this is her regular SG with a normal skin texture), but her actual skin color is tan/ light brown. She's a REW. Is this normal?

[ohmylokix]

Abscesses are rare, and wouldn't last this long. You likely have a tumor on your hands-- have you been in to see the vet? A culture may be all you need.

[genie]

i thought it was rare for girls to get scent gland tumours though? or do i have duff information?

[greenbelt09]

Thanks! What's a culture though?
No, I haven't been to the vet yet, I don't have the money for a surgery, plus, the vet that treats gerbils is 2 hours away and I'm not old enough to drive. I am trying to get an appointment though!

At Genie: it is sort of rare for gerbils to get SGTs, especially females, but a lot of people have experienced it, and just because it is rare doesn't make it impossible. It's not extremely rare, possibly on the common side compared to other illnesses/things that gerbils get.

[ohmylokix]

A culture is when they take a swab and see if it grows any nastiness.

[greenbelt09]

Oh? So how would that help, besides to decide what it is? Or is that it?

[ohmylokix]

It'd decide what it is. But, they'd likely do both a culture and biopsy.. which costs a lot.

[greenbelt09]

Ohhh.... >.<
Doesn't a biopsy just decide whether the thing is benign or active? So is that required if it ends up being a tumor and you want it removed either way?

[ohmylokix]

They usually do them either way, just to be sure.

[greenbelt09]

And they charge extra for it? I think that's stupid... but whatever.
Thanks for explaining.

[ohmylokix]

They usually charge for every test they run, to pay the people running the test.

[greenbelt09]

Yeah, I know why they would charge, but I still think it's dumb to make something mandatory and charge for it. Oh well. Nothing I can do about it. I probable won't get to the vet for a while anyway. I wish I could though! D:

[RW]

A biopsy isn't mandatory or even absolutely necessary. I've had it done only once in the nine surgeries on my gerbils.

RW

[ohmylokix]

I mean to say, if you want to be concrete, they will likely do a swab and a biopsy to rule out one or the other.

[RitzieAnn]

An abscess is a localized collection of pus in any part of the body that is surrounded by swelling (inflammation). Think of it as a zit, or a spider bite. You may draw it out with something like warm Epsom salt soaks, which generally helps pull the infection (pus) out, thus quickening the healing process). or you can just leave it alone, and it will clear up in it's own sweet time.

A tumor is obviously a growth. It can't be drawn out with Epsom soaks, or anything other than surgery. It could be cancerous, or it may not be. It may be growing in a place where it doesn't hinder the daily life of the creature it's inhabitating, or it may be causing serious damage due to where it's growing.

Did that help?