imbalanced rat

Question
QUESTION: I am writing to you regarding our pet rat Peanut(hairless) . She is just over two, and has had weight loss over the past month and just this past few days has seemed off balance, almost drunk in appearance. Getting worse, but with no head tilt. I took her to the vets on Thursday, and they checked her and could not find anything. It was not our regular vet, but another associate. Ours is a rat expert. We are convinced that it is an inner ear issue, but where told no. We do have medicines here. Would you recommend that we try that, or any help would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: THe vet that saw your rat is not really correct. She could easily have an inner ear infection without head tilt.  However, a pituitary tumor is not to be rule out, esp at her age. Is she spayed, by chance?  Also, does she use her front paws to hold her food or do they seem to be unable to grasp objects?

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QUESTION: I felt the same way regarding the vet... brought her back Monday, she was becoming very week and listless. MADE her give me medicine for ear infection. Yes up until Monday she was very active still and eating on her own, Just "drunk". As of Monday night she had 3 doses of medicine, and seemed on her way out, we where convinced that she would not make it through the night. I did convince her to take water with dropper, and some baby food on a spoon, she actually took a lot and seemed eager. By this morning she seems to be a little better. Took more food and water eagerly, and can now hold her head up on her own. She took several steps actively, without falling over. I am beginning to see rays of hope, and truly disliking the fill in vet.... Her vet is back on Wednesday, and I may bring her in so that Dr. Hess can reevaluate her. She is not spayed, but I do not feel that it is a tumor. She has seemed to "well" and eating great up until this past few days. Would she be acting as though she was improving on antibiotics if it was a tumor? Thank you so much for your help!

Answer
If it were a tumor she would not respond to antibiotics.  I feel its just a matter of getting the right medication in her system, esp steroids for the inflammation.  As long as there is pressure on the vestibular choclear nerve, she will be off balance. Steroids are the best thing to use but some vets frown on using it due to side effects and use metacam instead. Steroids can weaken the immune system but this is long term.  We are talking about short term use in an animal that has a super fast metabolic rate.