Please Help.

Question
My Rat, Spooky, has been sick lately with a respiratory illness. None of the red discharge had secreted from her eyes or nose, but her breathing was stuffy. My mother and I looked up possible treatments for this, and we decided to give her "Cipro". For a few days she was fine. her breathing was still a little labored, but she was significantly better.
Now, starting about last week or so, I took her out of her cage and I noticed that her face looked odd. i studied her closely and I noticed that her face was swollen on one side, and her ear/face on that same side was making really STRANGE movements, almost like continuous contractions!! I've never had this issue with any of my rats before, and I've read up on a-lot to find what may be the problem, and nothing has been discovered.
Do you know what may be wrong with my baby?
Sincerely,
Sarah

Answer
Hi Sarah

I have a few things to ask first before I can pinpoint what the problem is.  For starters, how long was Spooky on cipro?

Although cipro is good with mycoplasmosis (preferred drug is baytril, but cipro and baytril are very closley related with cipro being used for humans and baytril is not for human use) cipro is NOT good for anaerobic infections.  She may have an abscess in her mouth or sinuses. Can you do me a favor and try to check her teeth and the inside of her mouth and see what it looks like?
The contractions could be muscle spasms and that is what it sounds like for sure.

Also how long was she on the cipro?  usually to take care of a respiratory infection caused by mycoplasma, rule of thumb is to continue antibiotics for no less than 21 days, ideally a full 30 with some vets even now taking it to a full 6 weeks. Reason why is relapse and with relapse, the second attack is even worse than the first and can cause lung abscesses, blisters and scarring.  

ANyhow one of the causes of swelling in the face could be from infection in the mouth such as the gums, or an abscess.  

LEt me know how your little furry babys teeth look for starters.  Is she eating and drinking ok?