head tilt and bulging eyes

Question
QUESTION: Hi Sandra, I took one of our female rats to one of the only local vets who will see rats on May 23rd because the night before we noticed she was tilting her head to the left.  As a mother - I immediately thought "wow - it looks like she has an ear ache."    Anyway - the vet attempted to look in her ears - not sure how successfully. Anyway - I had done some research on the internet and saw that head tilt can be an inner ear infection, a tumor or even a stroke.   We have been giving her .5 ml  of Baytril 1x per day.  Some days - I think she looks like she is improving - and then the next - I think not so much.   We have been avoiding handling her because it seems to sort of freak her out - like she thinks she is falling??   She seems pretty functional - she is eating, even running in the wheel, and occassionally begging for treats from us.   I keep thinking now that her eyes look sort of bulgy - but it is hard to really tell.  Can you give me your opinion based on what I have written?  Does this sound like and ear infection?  The vet says if she seems improved at 14 days we will continue the antibiotic to 30 days.

ANSWER: Hi Jamie


Yes it does sound like an ear infection, mainly because you did not mention she has lost the use of her front paws and is holding and eating food ok. If she would lose the use of her front paws I would be concerned it was a pituitary tumor.  

Is she walking in circles by chance ?

She needs something for inflammation. I am surprised the vet did not give her either metacam or steroids. The reason for the head tilt and being off balance is because the inflammation from the infection is causing pressure on the  8th cranial nerve which is what controls equilibrium.  On top of it all, rats cannot vomit so they may have an upset tummy and they dont understand what is going on.
The vet is right to let the rat on the meds for 30 full days since the otitis media is probably from the myco bacteria and its almost rule of thumb to treat this organism for a full 30 days.

If the vet gives her either metacam or steroids (I would call and suggest it...not ask, but suggest)  Is this vet by chance a board certified exotic Vet?  

Also if her eyes seem a bit buldged, this can be from the inflammation as well. Sometimes with a brain tumor there is noted changes in the eyes with protrusion or even one eye is visibly larger or protruding more than the other.

Does she live alone?

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

QUESTION: No, Miss Oreo has a friend - maybe even sister - Taffy.  Taffy is symptomless.  Oreo isn't walking in circles - when we let her out she walks around - but tilted and sniffing a lot.   We have been avoiding handling her unnecessarily just because her tail begins to whip around as if she is afraid to fall.

The vet is only one of two in my area who see exotics.  I don't know if she is board certified in exotics or not.   I did just happen to think that there is also a vet at our local PetSmart with the Banfield Animal hospital.   I didn't take Oreo there because I would had to wait - not have an appointment.   The vet we visited had pictures in the exam room of all sorts of pets:  monkeys, birds, etc

They are only about 5 months old - I failed to mention that earlier.  We got them the first of February and they were very tiny - they could easily run through the middle of a toilet paper tube.

I will call tomorrow and inquire about the steroids.  

Thank you for writing!  I hope to hear from you again.

Jamie

ANSWER: Hi Jamie


Please keep me updated on Miss Oreos condition! I had an Oreo before...you can see her on my website in the HOW TO CARE FOR THE ELDERLY RAT page!

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

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

QUESTION: Hi Sandra,
I wrote to you several weeks ago about our rat Oreo who has head tilt.  We continued the Baytril for 30 days - in fact she just has a few doses left - maybe 2-3 days.   I am sorry to report that the head tilt doesn't seem much better.   Her head tilts to the left - and I am curious about the right eye - the one that would be tilted more towards the ceiling when the left ear points down.  That eye is still rather bulgy looking - and I don't know if rats have a 3rd eyelid but it looks like I can see grey around the perimeter.   I just can't help wondering if she doesn't see out of that eye?   It is just a feeling of mine.

Overall Oreo gets around well most of the time.  Once or twice I have seen her tumble off the ramp - fortunately with no injuries.  She is affectionate with her sister Taffy.  In fact, sometimes if they run in the wheel together Taffy positions herself to Oreo's left and keeps her running in a straight line.

Do you know of any other rat vets in my area?  I took her to the one I knew about - and they were nice enough - but I just don't know them like my own vet - but he and his partners don't see exotics.   I live in 76248 zip code.

Anyway - i look forward to your response.

Thanks
Jamie

Answer
Has she been on steroids or metacam?  The infection could be gone but without something to help rid the inflammation that is pressing on the 8th cranial nerve (that controls equilibrium) If not treated it may take months to return to normal once infection is gone but if something is used to help, it will do it faster.
If the vet wont comply, I would use childrens motrin.
Also, yes rats have a nictitating membrane (third eyelid) and in fact that is part of what the harderian gland is for, to produce porphryin to lubricate the nictitating membrane.

And.....here is what I can find for you as far as exotic vets go:


Dr. Amanda Neece
Country Club Pet Hospital    
2250 Matlock Road
Mansfield TX 76063
Phone:    817-477-4143
about 41 mins from your zip code

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Dr. Jerry Murray
Animal Clinic of Farmers Branch    
14021 Denton Drive
 Dallas TX 75234
Phone:    972-247-2221
Website: www.animalclinicoffarmersbranch.com