Rattie ear infection?

Question
this question is in reference to my wives rat, Lillie.  She is 1 1/2yrs old and On Sunday the 10th we noticed she was acting a little funny, not really climbing around her cage, but still moving around fine.  Monday she was walking in circles, and by that night not really moving at all, just laying there.  Keep in mind she was still eating and drinking on her own, but due to her just laying limp we took her to an animal ER monday night/tuesday early morning.  She was prescribed prednisone and baytril.  She doesn't really seem to have changed much since then, just lays there, not moving around but when we give her her medicine from the needleless syringe, she gets excited to take it, we have also been giving her whip cream to try to battle weight loss, she is eating fruits, some of her hard food and she drinks water no problem, you just have to hold it in front of her.  She will occasionally scratch herself of wash her face and is very chattery (she always has chattered when you give her food or she is happy, so this seems like a good sign) but we are concerned about her not being back up and walking again.  How long can something like this take to start working, or is there anymore info you need to try and give other advise.  Thanks for any help you can provide.

Answer
For starters, the ER vet did right by giving her the steroids and baytril. It may take a few days (no more than 3 though) to start working. It depends how bad it was. However, a pituitary tumor for a rat her age (is she intact or spayed?) is not uncommon and does mimic ear infection.  The one clue is if they lose the strength in their front paws and cannot grasp and hold food. The good news is she is eating and drinking. Give her baby foods, fruits and even veggies to help her out too.

Please see my website, sandyscrittercity.com and check out the page on rat illnesses. There is a subject on pituitary tumors and all the signs of it.  It is inoperable, sadly. I am hoping though, that this is not the case and lets hope in another day or so she starts to show positive signs of recovering.