- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Metairie Today
By the People, for the People
Beloved Nutria 'Neuty' Faces Health Scare
Owners ask for prayers as Neuty undergoes testing for suspected cancerous mass
Mar. 10, 2026 at 9:04pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The family of Neuty the Nutria, a popular social media sensation in Louisiana, has announced that their beloved pet has developed a malignant mass that may require surgery. The family took Neuty to the LSU Veterinary Hospital for treatment and is awaiting the results of a CT scan to determine if the mass is operable.
Why it matters
Neuty the Nutria has gained a large following on social media after the family rescued him as a baby and fought to keep him as a pet, despite Louisiana laws prohibiting the ownership of wild rodents. His potential health issues have sparked an outpouring of concern from his many fans.
The details
The family posted to Instagram on Tuesday afternoon to inform fans that Neuty has developed a malignant mass that may need to be removed. They said they took him to the LSU Veterinary Hospital for treatment and are waiting for the results of a CT scan to determine whether the mass is operable.
- The family posted the update to Instagram on Tuesday afternoon.
The players
Neuty the Nutria
A nutria rescued as a baby by a Metairie, Louisiana family who gained popularity as a viral social media sensation, even riding in several Mardi Gras krewes.
Metairie Family
The family who rescued Neuty the Nutria as a baby and fought to keep him as a pet, despite Louisiana laws prohibiting the ownership of wild rodents.
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
The state agency that initially attempted to confiscate Neuty the Nutria from the Metairie family, but later granted permission for the wild rodent to live with them as a pet.
What’s next
The family is waiting for the results of a CT scan to determine whether the mass is operable.
The takeaway
Neuty the Nutria's health scare has highlighted the unique challenges and legal issues surrounding the ownership of wild animals as pets, as well as the strong bond that can develop between humans and their unconventional animal companions.
