2 yr old rat: shaking head & out of balance

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a wonderful 2 year old boy rat, his balance was off and he was shaking his head a lot, I took him to the vet, she said he had blockage in both ears, she did a ear flush, he screamed!, she said debris and hair came out of his ears and there was a bit of blood (maybe from the process), he was partially sedated but I know this really hurt him, I feel bad that it was painful.  My question is: was that the right procedure?  I hope so.  She gave him a penicillin injection and he is on batryl antibiotic and I have a bit of pain meds for him and he'll get another penicillin injection in one week.  I think if we didn't do the flush maybe it would have gotten worse.  Your thoughts are very much appreciated. sincerely, Monica (and rat Angel)

ANSWER: Monica


Oh no that is awful that the vet did this!!!!  

Let me ask, is he still off balance?

Your little guy would have done just fine with antibiotics and steroids minus the traumatic and painful and unnecessary irrigation of the ear.

Is this vet a certified exotic vet registered with the AEMV?  I can check the credentials if you want to and make the next follow up private.

It was totally unnecessary to do this to your rat. The reason he is off balance is not due to debris in the ear but instead, he has infection that is causing inflammation on the 8th cranial nerve in the brain. This nerve controls balance and when there is inflammation and pressure it throws the rat off balance.  Once the infection goes away the rat will gain his balance back which is why I asked if after she caused possibly trauma and even bursting of this tympanic membrane, which is the ear drum (which would cause bleeding and pain!!!) if he got his balance back. I would be shocked if he did.

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

QUESTION: I think you are right, I thought she was doing the right thing when she told me what she wanted to do, I feel so bad, I know he's in pain, he is the best and nicest rat, it's only been 9 hours after she gave him the ear flush, she also gave him a shot for pain, yes he is still off balance, maybe from the pain meds., he is eating and washing but he is bleeding from one ear, I'm really upset, I have a perscription of pain meds, I'm going to give it to him because I don't want him to suffer more, and I'll give him the baytril, do you think he'll be okay???? should I get steroids in addition to the antibiotics???  I read your disclaimer, I understand, I still want your opinion, what is best from this point forward??? thank you, Monica

ANSWER:
http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/offbalanceheadtilt.htm

Check out my website, the URL is above.  This section talks about treating what your rat has, which is Otitis media. He WILL be off balance for a while esp since he is not being put on the right medication.  The baytril is for infection but he needs something for inflammation. As I said before, he is off balance, not due to the pain medication or due to debris in the ear, but due to the 8th cranial nerve being inflammed from infection. FLushing his ear just put tons of pressure on his ear drums. Its not your fault that the vet did this, you trusted the vet of course, so how could you know what was the right or wrong thing to do? Dont knock yourself for it.

I just doubt her experience with rats.  I can almost bet my left arm she will deny the steroids saying that it can cause his immune system to become weak and cause more problems and so she will refuse to give them.
If that is the case, I am positive she is not properly educated on rat ailments.  Short term use of steroids will NOT hurt his immune system, esp if he is on antibiotics. I would not let him get another penicillin shot either.  THERE IS NO NEED TO GIVE RATS INJECTIONS!  I dont mean to shout, I just wanted that in all CAPS so it stood out. LOL
ANyhow, the rat doesnt have enough muscle mass to give injections to and its painful.  If she is an exotics vet, she should have the proper medications there to give by mouth.  Oh and NEVER let her give the rat a baytril injection. This can cause serious ulcerations since the baytril is very caustic and damages tender tissue.  You can see a photo of baytril burn on my website in the health care section.

If you would like me to find another vet for you, one that is up to par with rats, I will be happy to find one.

You asked where to go from here and this is what the normal treatment is:

Antibiotics- baytril for 21 days
Steroids or NSAIDS(Metacam) anything for inflammation
Pain medication-narcotic pain medication

DO NOT put anything in the ears at all.  Chances are the rats eardrums are ruptured if you saw blood, and that is because of the careless actions of the vet. This upsets me too like it does you.

I would deny her if she attempts to do it again, but honestly if that were me, I would find another Vet.

I bet there was no blood before the vet did that to him. That really makes me mad!!!!!

And you asked if he will be ok, and yes, he should recover as long as he has the right medication.  Keep him in a single story cage so he doesnt lose his balance and get hurt from a fall. You can also feed him baby food, just to spoil the little guy.  Is the blood from his ears bright red?  Is there an odor?  

He should be checked out tomorrow by another vet or else demand this vet give you the correct medications. I know my disclaimer says that my advice should not take the place of a vet, but we are talking about a vet that is NOT qualified to see rats and has caused unnecessary pain and discomfort to your rat.  Too many vets do this and have no business taking care of these critters if they do not know what they are doing. They cause more harm than good. I dont mind overriding her treatment and advice because she is not treating him correctly.

Please let me know the color of the blood.  Hang in there and by all means give him the pain medication so he doesnt hurt!

---------- F

Answer
Hi

I would say he needs the steroids at least a week to 10 days.
As for making the meds easier to take, mix them with anything from
ice cream to yogurt to a dab of strawberry jelly or jam.  NO PEANUT BUTTER since this is a choking hazard.

As for vets, here is what I have so far. Are any of these clinics near you?


Dr. Keri Franco
(ONLY Dr.FRANCO, not sure about others for exotics but trust Dr.Franco)

Studio City Animal Hospital
11800 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City CA 91604
Phone: (818) 769-1338


Capri Plaza Pet Clinic  
19582 Ventura Blvd
Tarzana CA 91356
Phone: 818-881-6344
Website: www.capriplazapetclinic.com/




Dr. Bruce Levine
Huntington Beach Veterinary Clinic
724 Utica Ave
Huntington Beach CA 92648
Phone: 714-536-7591