my pet rat is real sick! please help!

Question
QUESTION: I took my rat to the vet for a sore on his face, the vet did something with a needle to his sore after putting him to sleep, she thought is would drain but it did not she said that there was nothing in there now he is having problems opening his mouth to eat and drink and he is off balance, and keeps falling. I'am not sure what to do. I tried calling the vet back and she said she is not sure what it is but I can bring him in in the morning and they can take a look.  Any suggestions???

ANSWER: Hi Angela


I need to know a few things in order to get a better understanding of the situation first if thats ok.

Where on his face is the sore? Is it under his ear on his face, like on his cheek?  Was there a lump there or any type of mass where this sore is? If so, is or was there any type of discharge or odor?

Was the area swollen before the procedure and is it swollen now?

While the rat was under anesthesia, did she check his teeth and gums to see if this is possibly part of a dental abscess, which is commonly seen when there is a lump or sore associated with the face or cheek?

Was he put on any medications?

How old is he?

Is he holding his head to the side?

Is your vet a board certified exotic vet or just a general vet that sees small mammals on occasion?

For now its important you keep him hydrated. He may be stressed a bit which can weaken his immune system. Can he lick and suck?
Try letting him lick baby food from your fingers and also see if you cant get a dropper in the side of his mouth to give him some fluids.

Please let me know and thanks for writing!

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

QUESTION: The sore is on petee's right check closer to his mouth. The vet said when she first saw him that it looked like his brother whitey bit him, to me it looked like a smaller version of an abscess you would see on a cat, it was red and soft, then it got hard with a scab after the vet first gave him antibiotics. The sore is still swollen but not red. He was under anesthesia, but she (the vet) did not say if she checked his mouth. she did say that she gave him a shot of antibiotics and steroids. he is only a year and a half old. No he is not holding his head to the side. The vet said that she has worked on rats before, but I'm not sure if she is certified. Last night he did scrape baby food off my finger and we used a dropper to give him water. I live in Plattsburgh, NY and I'm supposed to call the vet this morning for an appointment. He is still off balance and falling, and is also wondering around in circles like he dose not know what to do.

ANSWER: Your rat has an ear infection on top of it all.

The pus from what I suspect is an abscess has probably migrated to his ear.   This will cause them to be off balance, spinning and walking in circles. It may cause the head to tilt to the side too but not in every case.
Antibiotics and steroid use is the best way to treat this. There is not a doubt in my mind that this is what is wrong.  

When there is inflammation in the inner ear it causes pressure on the 8th cranial nerve which is what controls equilibrium. When there is pressure on that nerve, you have a rat that is dizzy. He will spin, walk in a circle and actually do a somersault or flip especially when you try to hold him down and he panics because everything is spinning to him.

Right now what to do for him is to keep him from harm. Keep him in a single story cage with nothing high he can try to climb on. Be sure he is drinking.  He may be too dizzy to stand up and steady himself so you may need to help him by using a  dropper or syringe with water in it.
If this vet doesnt know what is wrong with him at this point, you  need to hurry and find another vet because that will show that the vet is not really up to par with rats and their proper care.

What is Plattsburgh located as far as near what city?

I think I will try to find you an exotic vet you can see as soon as TODAY!

REVISED:


Here is the ONLY vet that specializes in exotics near you...

Dr. Adam Hurlbut (specializes in exotics)
High Peaks Animal Hospital
Rt. 86, Ray Brook, NY 12977
518-891-4410


Please call and see what they say and let them know what is going on.
Its about an hour drive but to really save your rats life it is worth it....now of course if the vet you have now recognizes what your rat has to be an ear infection that either caused the infection in the face or mouth or vice versa, there is no reason to run to the new vet but I would still be a bit leary since she said she had no idea what is wrong.

good luck

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

QUESTION: The vet I'm seeing took Petee in first thing this morning and has now said like you that she thinks its an ear infection she is going to give him a few shots and antibiotics and said that it will hopefully clear up soon and he should be back to normal. Petee and I want to also thank you for all your help...

Answer
Oh thats good to know that she picked up on it. Its a common illness in rats and he had the classic textbook signs. In fact I am convinced the abscess on his face is linked to the ear infection.

Is the lump on the face still there?
If so is there any discharge?