We call him Tilty now, but we rather he didnt.

Question
Hello. It saddens me to have to ask this of an online expert rather than to rush to a veterinarian, but sadly the buffert we strive to uphold for such unexpected costs was eaten up by unexpected family emergencies just days before we noticed that our rat had started to tilt.

So, I did my research. Head tilt and a lack of balance, indicating either a stroke or an inner ear infection, or possibly a tumour, with inner ear infections being the most common cause.

They say for ear infections quick treatment is key to recovery, so with the sad knowledge that quick treatment is not in the cards this time I want to know more about what I am getting into here.

First, there has been no porphyrin whatsoever. His brother is the sneezy rat, and he has no porphyrin either, his snot runs clear... I should know, he has sneezed in my face enough. Tilty as we affectionately call the sick rat these days is still the larger of the two brothers, still seem as active and hungry. He has no problem eating, it just seems life is a turn to the left for him these days... He has a hard time balancing in a straight line for any length or climbing up and down the cage walls the way he used to. There is no discharge from his ears or any other indication that he is sick, apart from the tilting, situational bad balance and occasional sneeze. I guess I am hoping against hope here, but given these symptoms, is an ear infection still the most likely cause of his tilt?

And to steel myself for the future... what are the long term effects of untreated ear infections? untreated strokes? how rapidly can in progress, likely and worst case scenario?

We are doing what we can to get him to a veterinarian quickly, but so far those we have found in the area does not accept anything but cash up front payment, and we have been unsuccessful in trying to borrow the money from friends and relatives.  

Wish him luck!

Answer

He has an ear infection....the pressure on the Vestibulocochlear nerve or actually I say 8th cranial nerve (easier to say and spell! LOL) it controls equilibrium and this in turn makes the rat off balance. A vet usually gives steroids and the newer grads that are freaked out over the use of steroids will give metacam, which is a glorified motrin.  

Rats can have childrens motrin, so thats a start.
If you have even a guesstimated weight on him, this will help me tell you what dose to give him for the childrens motrin.

Please respond for our follow up in private and we can go from there. I will explain why once you write back.

And...dont worry...we can get him straightened up for now till you can see the vet.