Ear infection

Question
I have got two rats, which are 22 months old - Bisk & Husk. Bisk became really quiet and passive about 5 weeks ago. As his head was tilt and he kept falling over, I took him to the vets, who diagnosed him with an ear infection. Bisk got an injection of steroids and an antibiotics for one week. I went back to the vet after one week as the improvement was only a very little. Bisk received an antibiotics for another weeks. His head and walking got better within 4 weeks, but he seems to be weaker and weaker. His fur is getting thinner, I found blood-ish stuff around his nose today and he is just sleeping all the time last three - five weeks. I also found a biggish soft lump under his front leg. And for about two months he has got two scab-like things, which are very hard and are not healing. I'd say they are quite deep and getting bigger. I don't know if it could have any connection with the ear infection or his weakness. I'm really worried about him because I don't know how much he is suffering and if there is any help for him if he has been unwell for so long.

Answer

Hi Eva

First thing I see wrong is that your little guy was not treated half as long as he should be treated.  Antibiotics should be given for at least a full month and steroids at least 14 days or longer. After that, he should be put on metacam acting as an NSAID. The good news is that his head tilt has let up but chances the infection still looms is high.  The bloody type discharge you see is not blood. It is called "porphyrin" and you can see photos of rats here at this URL with it and read up on what it means, although I think you know it means he is probably not feeling so well.

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


As for the lump under his front leg....how long as he had this lump?
Is there a scab, pit or crater on it at all?
If its not an abscess, its a mammary tumor and should be removed to prevent serious and fatal implications. Lets hope its an abscess so I will wait till you are able to tell me if it has the scab etc...and for how long he has had it.

The scabs....where are they located at?? Have you tried to pick the scabs off?