Rat loosing weight - taking Baytril

Question
QUESTION: My pet rat of almost a year came down with a severe head tilt and balance problem about 1/5 weeks ago.  I took her to the vet and they put her on ear drops and Baytril (2 times a day).  The head tilt went away for about a week but recently came back and I have noticed she seems to be loosing weight.  She is a good eater so I can't explain the weight loss.  We were thinking she had an inner ear infection but with the symptoms returning, I am starting to worry.  Does Baytril cause weight loss?  She's been taking it for about 1/5 weeks now.  If the symtoms are returning could she have something else?  Any advise would be appreciated.  I have called my vet but she hasn't returned my call yet and I can't really afford to take my rat back in.

ANSWER: Hi Angela


I have a few questions for you first before I answer your questions. First of all, do you notice any other symptoms such as  weakness in her front paws, trouble holding food? Does she fall off of shelves etc...?
Can you tell me how much she weighed prior to her ear infection and what she weighs now?

Often, the proper treatment for otitis media (inner ear infection) is baytril and doxycycline along with something to help inflammation within the ear which is what is causing the tilt and loss of balance etc... Some vets use steroids and others use NSAID like metacam.  For it to get better and relapse has me concerned as well. Baytril does not cause weight loss btw.  If antibiotics cause profuse loose watery stools, this can lead to dehydration which would be a temporary weight loss but thats really all that I can think of to connect baytril and weight loss.

Sometimes pituitary tumors mimic ear infections. When the rat doesn't respond to treatment and continues to get worse, that is when its usually a pituitary tumor which is most often seen in unspayed females in menopause age which is 18 months and older.  Your rat is not even a year old from your post but that doesn't rule it out, sadly.
Where did you get your little rat from, btw?
I would call the vet and ask for baytril and metacam. You should never be charged for an ongoing illness by ANY vet. You are responsible for the medication of course but should not be charged for a re-check and if that would be the case, you need to speak up and let them know your displeasure.  Most often the vet wants to keep the customer happy...trust me on that....and should waive the office fee if there is one since again, this is an ongoing thing.

Let me know about other symptoms...I am curious now.
Also, if your vet an exotic vet or just one that has a special interest in exotics? Big huge difference that people don't realize.

Regards
Sandra

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

QUESTION: Sandra,

Thanks for the quick reply.  I got a call from the vet and she said as long as Molly is still eating and functioning without any problems there might just be a little of the head tilt that will remain.  The good thing is that she is still eating like a little piggy and is still very active as usual so I will keep a close eye on her. I have not noticed any change in stool or any other symptoms that are abnormal.  In fact, if it weren't for the slight head tilt and the weight loss I would say she is pretty healthy.  I believe she weighted 13.2 ounces when I took her in 2 weeks ago and I have not weighed her since.

The vet also recommended that I swab the ear with some alcohol to get an idea if there is any discharge.  I have been using ear drops (not quite sure the perscription name) and cleaning already 2 times a day so I'm sure I won't find any but I'll give it a try.  As far as my vet, she is a "small animal specialist" - which I guess might not exactly be catagorized as an exotic vet.

Thank you for letting me know how vet visits should work.  This is my first rat that has every had a problem so I'm new to the vets office.  Oh and by the way, I got Molly from Petsmart - along with another female rat (who is very healthy).  I recently had to seperate the two because I noticed some agressive behavior from the small (healthy) one and am thinking they were fighting over territory.

Thank you for your help.

Answer
Hi Angela

Yes, the vet is right about head tilt taking a long time to go away, but you said earlier that it did go away and came back a week later, so that is why I was a little concerned. I am still worried about her weight loss but if you think about it, she was sick with a bacteria that caused ear infection so it only stands to reason she may have dropped a few grams.
Like you said,keep an eye on her for any neurological changes or if her condition should get worse especially when treatment is stopped. How long does your vet plan on keeping her on the meds? To prevent relapse, she should be on it at least 21 to 30 days.
What kind of aggressive behavior did you see between the two girls, btw?  Often, a younger rat will play wrestle and natural domination is normal and even healthy. Rats are naturally social animals and are very lonely if kept alone. I would try to put the two together and keep in mind that this is normal behavior among rats.  My boys and girls rough and tumble and sniff each other and groom each other all the time.  Even when they squeak at each other during wrestling etc...it is all for play and for fun. As long as they are not biting each other and drawing blood, its ok for them to scrap. It is a bit unnerving for a new rat owner to witness but I promise, its normal and rats love to play. Humans cannot take the place of another rat regardless of how much time we spend with the rats. Its not the same.

Good luck and feel free to write any time!