Rat with head tilt

Question
QUESTION: Hi, its me again

As i said before, i have another rat with problems. Here is some info. My second oldest rat, Oreo is a male rat and is a year old. Oreo has always been a large rat and is lazy as well (lol) but isnt lethargic or anything. About three moths ago, i had put Oreo on a window sill while in the bathroom ( In know, it was a STUPID thing to do and i havent ever done it before or since) and he ended up fallingand landed on his head. his nose started bleeding alot for about half an hour & he sneezed quite a bit but the next day he was perfectly fine. That was about three months ago.
About a month ago, i started noticing Oreo walking strangley. It started out as him just sort of tripping over himself, but then his head started to tilt and now he cant keep his head straight. He cant walk very well, let alone straight and he cant balance himself well either. He no longer can stand or hold on to my shoulder or clothes or anything. If he is sitting in my lap and i dont have my arm around him, he falls. I have looked this up and have heard about tumors in the brain, but Oreo can still use his front paws perectly fine and can eat and walk, just not balanced or straight.        I would take him for an appointment but it doesnt seem to serious. Just wondering if you can give any answers as to what might be wrong with him, thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Ashton


Yep, Oreo has an inner ear infection.  He indeed needs it treated since the infection can go to the brain.   

You can read up on it here, it will probably sound just like what Oreo is doing.

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/offbalanceheadtilt.htm

After you read this article on my website, let me know if this is what he is doing. I am almost positive that is what he has.

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QUESTION: That is exactly what he looks like except he is dumbo eared so he looks even cuter lol. He also does walk in circles now that you mention it. Even when im holding him, if hes not just lazing around, hes smelling in the air but turning in cirlcles. Im pretty sure this is what he has and im hoping to take him to the vet with my other rat, but Im just wondering how his ear could have gotten the infection? Could his falling off the window be related to an infection?

Answer
No, I dont think falling out of the window caused it.  Often, mycoplasmosis bacteria causes it. You did say he had a sneezing jag a few months back, which could have been part of the myco flare up that usually is what causes inner ear infection.

He will get better with antibiotics and steroids for inflammation. The head tilt will take a bit longer to go away so just be prepared for him to have a tilt for a bit. Help him eat if he cant eat well.