Meningitis in rats

Question
Dear Sandra,

On Monday night I found my rat having what I thought was seizures, she had blood coming down her nose and from the capillaries in her eyes, she had no power in her legs, was awfully confused and extremely sleepy. On Tuesday morning I took her to the vet (my friend has kept rats before whereas I haven't and she phoned vets and stuff on Monday night but with it being 11pm, we couldn't actually see a vet, which is ridiculous, and they cant diagnose down the phone)...When we got there the vet diagnosed it as Meningitis, gave her a shot and told me to bring her back the next morning so he could check her progress and give an observation on whether or not it would be kinder to have her put to sleep. Remarkably, she was much better the next morning, so he gave her another shot of antibiotics and gave me oral antibiotics. I have to giver her 0.1 of a ml everyday for seven days. Today is the first day of her home medication and apart from not having all the power back in her legs, she is perfectly fine and back to her old self. I am pleased but at the same time confused. I have friends who have had meningitis and it has taken them weeks, even months to recover; why did my rat recover in 3 days? Is this normal or was it something else she had?

Answer
That was not blood your rat had.  It was porphyrin. Please see this site for photos and let me know if this is what you saw:
http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/bloodynoseandeyes.htm

Also meningitis is diagnosed by a blood test. Can you tell me if the vet took a blood test and what route they used?


Meningitis is usually fatal in rats. What kind of medication is she on?  There are only a few types that cross the blood/brain barrier  to be able to treat meningitis and have such a fast recovery, but its possible.   

I have had rats die from it and one survived.  He is brain damaged and has cerebral palsy from it and is totally blind, but he is still able to get around, eat, brux and is happy.  He is a miracle rat.

Your rat could indeed bounce back this fast from meningitis if the right meds are used which is why I asked what it was she was given.
If this is what she had, she is a miracle rat. Be glad she is alive!