head tilt help

I got home today and one of my breeder rats is holding its head to the side and seems to not be able to straighten it is this an ear infection? if so are they contagous?

Sounds like wry neck which is a myco outbreak that's gone into the ear. This link should help you...

http://www.rmca.org/Articles/myco.htm

I've not found that they get myco in their ears. I've had cultures done before and it's usually staph.

if you don't treat it quick enough, the rat will get worse as the infection spreads to their brain. Neurologic function usually isn't reparable by then. Even if you do treat them with Baytril and a steroid soon, they may always have impairment and a tilted head.

Oh and Wry Neck is what rabbits get :)