WTF is up with my rat?

[zackw419]

one of my momma rats is walking around with her head really tilted to the right, almost like shes about to roll over, its like she's got some kind of problem.

Can anyone Identify what it is?

[zackw419]

did some reading, it looks like an ear infection.

[sassy-pants]

If she's over 18 months old or so, it can be a bacterial infection. Younger than that, it can be a neurological problem that shouldn't affect the animal's ability to thrive for a while. I've seen "spinners" (as I've heard them called, and call them myself) get progressively worse, to the point that they are not able to eat or drink or interact with other rats, so I feed them off at the first signs of spinning. I haven't had many, but it pops up every now and then.

[littleindiangirl]

More than likely it is an inner ear infection, if you can, get her to the vet for antibiotics. It will very likely get worse, not better, without antibiotics

If you can't, then think about putting her down with some CO2 gas. Always best to go the humane route and do something immediately rather than waiting.

Cheers,

[matt71915]

I have had that happen with a male breeder of mine. I've read that its called head tilt or just simply tilt. Like others have said, its most likely an inner ear infection.

[ed4281]

It's most likely an inner ear infection (vestibular disease) what we call vertigo with people. It can be treated with antibiotics however the rat will never really be right again and may always have a head tilt. Usually at my practice we put them down if that is the case, however I would go to veterinarian to make sure that is the problem.