my poor sweet rat!

Question
I am trying to do some research for my sick rat, Saraphina.  I was reading a blog on this website where a lady described a very similar situation as to what it seems I may be going through.  My story started only three days ago.  I want to gather as much information and advice as quickly as I can to help better my rat's chances for recovery.  Saraphina's head became tilted three days ago, causing disorientation and loss of balance.  I took her to a vet the same day where they guessed that it was an inner ear infection and injected her with Meloxicam suspension, an anti-inflammatory/analgesic, to reduce swelling and pain.  They sent me home with 7 more doses of this stuff (.04ml once a day) and two antibiotics, Baytril (.14ml twice a day) and Doxycycline (.1ml twice a day with the Baytril).  It has officially been three full days, and her improvement is minimal.  Though she never lost her spunk I'm not sure she is on the road to a full recovery.  She is still eating, drinking, grooming, and playing, but I feel horrible for her spinning and falling over.  It's so sad!  I keep reading blogs where the rats get over the infections but just have to live with the head tilt.  She does seem to be better than day one (either that, or is learning to adjust already), but I want to do everything I can to give her a chance at full recovery.  It's still early in the game, so there is still hope, as far as I'm concerned.  I have some questions that I was wondering if you could answer.  I plan on asking her vet these same questions tomorrow, but I'd like your expert second opinion, if you don't mind.  Here are my questions: 1) I keep reading about steroids.  My vet didn't mention steroids.  Is this something I should ask about, or is the anti-inflammatory/pain killer an appropriate substitute?  2) I keep reading that antibiotics should be taken for 30 days.  My vet gave me a 14 day supply.  Should I request more?  3)  I have another rat, Felicity, her room-mate.  I have them separated right now.  When would you recommend that I put them back together?  4) Also, I don't know how old she is. I think I got her just this past February, and she wasn't even full grown, though became full grown pretty quickly it seemed.  How old are rats when they reach full size?  Is she too young to be on these meds?  Any info you have would be so appreciated!
Ashley, Saraphina, and Felicity

Answer
Hi and thanks for writing!

This is a very common rat ailment (inner ear infection) The reason your girl is so dizzy and has the head tilt is because there is pressure on the 8th cranial nerve, which controls the equilibrium. When its off, your balance is off.

To answer your questions I copied them to answer them individually:

Here are my questions: 1) I keep reading about steroids.  My vet didn't mention steroids.  Is this something I should ask about, or is the anti-inflammatory/pain killer an appropriate substitute?  

Many vets prefer to steer clear of steroids because long term use can compromise the immune system. However, in this case, the use will be short term and I feel that using prednisone for a week has a better effect on the inflammation. Metacam is nothing more than advil really so this is why it may take a bit longer for the rat to recover. Head tilt takes time to go away and sometimes a slight tilt remains but I have found with the use of steroids this is not hold true as it does when using NSAIDS.  However, there may be reasons why your vet prefers to use metacam such as perhaps your rat has had a history of respiratory infections or some other chronic problems that the vet fears if the steroids lower the immune system the rat can relapse. One reason to use antibiotics when using steroids is to stop secondary infection from happening. Is it a good substitute? Again, I prefer the use of prednisone but metacam can be used as a substitute.


2) I keep reading that antibiotics should be taken for 30 days.  My vet gave me a 14 day supply.  Should I request more?  
The use of antibiotics for 30 days holds true in cases where such bacteria as mycoplasmosis is the culprit for the infection. Respiratory infections should be treated for 30 days with the latest findings actually now suggesting up to 6 weeks but this is in chronic respiratory illnesses. With otitis media, often the culprit is from the myco organism so I do suggest 21 to 30 days of treatment to prevent relapse. Once myco becomes chronic, its hard to control. Mycoplasma also causes infection in the urinary tract and the uterus as well as the ear and respiratory tract.



3)  I have another rat, Felicity, her room-mate.  I have them separated right now.  When would you recommend that I put them back together?

YES!! Put them together right away. Keeping the apart will stress the rat that has the ear infection and will compromise her immune system from being stressed from being apart from her cagemate.


4) Also, I don't know how old she is. I think I got her just this past February, and she wasn't even full grown, though became full grown pretty quickly it seemed.  How old are rats when they reach full size?  It depends on the sex of the rat usually. Males are bigger than girls and can weigh from 500 to 800 grams while females are usually more petite weighing from 200 to 500 grams.  They can be anywhere from 7 up to 11 inches head to tail, in length.

Is she too young to be on these meds?  
Baytril should be reserved for use in rats over 4 months old unless the benefits outweigh the risks.  Zithromax is the drug of choice for younger rats when dealing with mycoplasmosis.

Hope this helps.