Figure 1: Self resolving keratocanthoma in 2-year-old male rat
Case history and photos.

History

Male hairless rat 2 years old. History of skin problems including small abscesses and cysts.

Clinical Signs

Growth on the rat’s left cheek began as a red bump that quickly enlarged to a hard raised black mass.

Diagnosis

Initial diagnosis was a cornified cyst. Pathology revealed that the growth was actually a Keratoacanthoma.

Treatment

The vet prescribed an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection and help soften the tissue.

Outcome

The keratocanthoma eventually fell off leaving a small hole in the cheek that healed well. To date there have been no more incidents of KA.

Photos

Male hairless rat with keratoacanthoma on left cheek

Posted on January 16, 2006, 18:14, Last updated on March 5, 2010, 15:43 | Figures