rat walking backwards

Question
QUESTION: My 4 month old feeder rat was happy and healthy until last week.  He became
very lethargic for a couple of days and would only eat if you brought food to
him.  He didn't want his brother or people touching him.  Then he regained
his energy, BUT he seems disoriented.  He comes running to the cage door to
see you and wants to come out and walk around.  However he spins in circles
frantically and can only walk backwards.  This seems to make him very
nervous.  He is still very social and hangs out with his brothers but only on
the bottom floor.  He has realized he can't climb the ladder because he spins
off.  He eats, drinks, uses the litter box normally.  What is this? Is there
anything we can do for him?

ANSWER:
He needs a vet but dont worry, he can get better.  What is wrong is that your rat has an inner ear infection. This causes spinning in circles and walking backwards (I Have had several of my own rats do this and also have taken care of clinic rats that do this too)  they walk in circles, spin, may even have a head tilt.  A vet that lacks knowledge with rat care will probably freak out and say the rat has had some brain damage or even a stroke etc...and may even suggest putting it to sleep and believe it or not some people listen and the rat dies for nothing.  What it needs is 21 days of antibiotics and something for inflammation namely steroids.  The reason for this is because the infection causes pressure on the vestibular/cochlear nerve which controls balance.  When this is inflamed the rat will become dizzy etc...just like humans can when it involves the inner ear.
A vet that knows about rats will know how to treat it so please, if you dont have a good vet, let me know your location and I will give you names of good vets to treat your rat.

He needs something for the inflammation so even if the vet is scared to give prednisone, which I dont know why he would be, but if he is, at least make sure he gets an NSAID such as metacam. DONT LEAVE THE CLINIC without it.  Allow a good time to pass before expecting results.  Do NOT let him climb etc..  just remember you may not see him acting normal for at least a week or so once treatment starts.

He will recover I promise!!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I don't know of any vets that treat rats.  The few I have tried were definitely just guessing and several just refused to see them.  I am in the St. Petersburg, FL area and would love to have the names of good vets.  Thank you so much for your advice!

Answer
Oh thats easy!  St. Pete has access to AWESOME exotic vets that do much more than guess, they KNOW what they are doing. Most of them are located in Tampa, which is a stones throw away from St.Pete.

Here are some names.  Please call right away as this little one needs treatment started ASAP!  Its up to you where you go, the first place may be more pricey than the second. Call, see what you think. I just prefer specialists over regular vets and although Dr.Readdy sees exotics and has extensive training in that field, she is not a certified exotic vet, unlike the vets at FVS (the first choice)  that doesnt mean she isnt good though, so I would go for who is closer and who you feel more comfortable with as far as fees go etc....

FIRST CHOICE:

Florida Veterinary Specialists     
3000 Busch Lake Blvd
Tampa FL 33614
Phone:    813-933-8944
Website: www.fvs.com




SECOND CHOICE
Dr. Terri Readdy
County Chase Veterinary
Country Chase Veterinary
12501 W. Linebaugh Avenue
Tampa, FL 33626
Telephone:813 814 1814
Phone:    813 995-3375

Website: http://www.ccvets.com/index.html