head tilt, incordination

Question

Hi Sanrda,

When I woke up this morning, I noticed my rat Sebastian's head is tilted to one side. He is walking kinda funny (to the left) and his balance isn't very good. I set him down to walk a bit, and I noticed he's not really picking up his hind legs as much as he should. He's not dragging them, but not really using them as normal if that makes any sense.

He doesn't have any other symptoms, he is eating and drinking fine. I did notice that he is using his hands to eat, although at one point today, I noticed he just had his head in the food bowl moving the food around with his face, rather than using his front paws.

I am really hoping it's not too serious and it's not a pituitary tumor. I have oral antibiotics here right now,  clavamox. Is this drug as effective as baytril for inner ear infections?

I am keeping a close eye on him, and making sure he's not falling. (keeping him on one level)

What is the prognosis if it is a pituitary tumor, generally?

How does a vet determine if it's an inner ear infection or something more serious? Does it sound like an inner ear infection to you?

I really hope he's going to be okay, he's such a sweet little guy. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and he's approx a year and a half.

Thank you for doing such an amazing job everyday, the ratties thank you!

Shannon


Answer
Hi

If it came on so sudden, it may be inner ear infection.  

The way to really truly know the difference between that and a Pituitary tumor is if he would continue to get worse despite treatment. problem is, some vets wont treat it properly and this means using steroids for inflammation.  Even if they wont give steroids, metacam should be used. Something must be used for inflammation though because what is happening is that the inflammation and pressure is causing a disturbance with the vestibular cochlear nerve which controls equilibrium.  This takes time to respond to medication and could take time to show signs of improvement.  Head tilt may take a bit longer to subside. Antibiotics are not always good enough to be used alone for an inner ear infection.

If it is NOT infection and indeed a PT, the rat will gradually get worse as time goes on.  They may stop using their front paws and also will begin to have problems chewing and eventually, swallowing. Walking becomes a real task too. They may become anxious and hyper after laying around almost lifeless. They may have panic attacks as well.  Steroids can even help make the rat more comfortable during this time too as well as an anti anxiety such as valium is warranted if the rat is having panic attacks etc...  

The prognosis with a PT is generally poor as there is no way to treat it like you can if it were a human.

I dont want to jump the gun though and suggest it is a PT. He may have not felt like using his front paws to hold food because he felt dizzy and uneasy about his footing so he felt better about having his two front feet on the ground rather than use them to eat.
Also, better news:  PTS come on gradually and signs of inner ear infection such as head tilt and vertigo usually have a sudden onset.

Either way, dont give up on him and let the vet tell you to put the rat down because there is no hope. There is always hope in my opinion.   Too many times I have read with deep regret that the vet misdiagnosed the rat, saying it was a PT and the rat was not responding to treatment and the owner put the rat to sleep.  The rat was never given anything for inflammation so he was not getting better due to lack of proper medication.  He was put down for the wrong reasons, which is why I always insist on waiting things out and making sure the vet is up to par on properly treating inner ear infections the way they should be treated.  I am starting to repeat myself over and over again. Sorry about that!

Anyhow, hopefully he shows signs of recovery once he starts treatment.  Give it a few good weeks unless of course things take a turn for the worse, and even still, with good nursing skills on your part and keeping him comfy, it isnt always the end as soon as you think.  I usually let the rat make his or her own choice as much as possible in these cases.  

Hang in there and think positive!