I have a female rat named Willow. She is very old, over three years old. she has had very good health until recently when she developed a tumor just in front for her right rear leg on her side. I know it is not a mammory tumor as i have had some experience with that type of tumor and also the fact that the tumor is hard and attached to the muscle tissues below.

the tumor is realitively small at this point, it is shaped like a jelly bean and is about 3/4 in. long and 1/2 in. in diameter. I have noticed she has had a loss of wieght and now a loss in balace. Her right side seems to be adversely affected by the tumor. She can get around ok but it's beginning to ge hard for her.

The onset of this tumor was fast, within the last week. The problem i am faced with is I know that she will most likely survive the removal of the tumor due to her old age.

So given the rapid onset of this illness and the fact that I do not want her to suffer, do I spare her the sufering and put her down now or should I wait to see how the tumor progresses. Odinarily I would just make a vet visit and have the tumor removed as i have done with mammory tumors in the past, but I've never had a rat as old as Willow develope a tumor of this type.

I need opinions please.....