Disoriented? Inner Ear infection got worse?

[Scythe]

Exactly three weeks ago tomorrow, I took Alphonse to the vet since he was showing signs of, what we finally came to the conclusion, a sudden inner ear infection that had him hiding and stumbling and clinging to anyone that held him, even in out time. I took him to see Dr.Mun, and since then he's been getting Metacam once a day, and Baytril and Doxycycline twice a day. Almost immediately he was fine, and he started to perk up and go back to his usual self.

He was supposed to stay on the med for three weeks, and he was -- but now, suddenly last night he's back to being slightly disoriented and stumbling around. Instead of moving and jumping 'smoothly' he sort of tumbles off your lap, or tumbled down the stairs and I even caught him when he fell off the shelf in the cage multiple times(Yet he manages just fine on the wooden sleepnledges. :roll: ). He's still perky and eager for food, and treats(though when he does his head is tilted to the side and he looks like hes about to roll over).

Another thing I noticed is that his eyes seem... more open than usual? Like he's always wide-eyed. He also seems a little crosseyed, almost like a chameleon. One eye seems to face up a little more than the other -- but I never noticed before, so maybe he's always been like that.

Instead of stopping the medications today like Dr.Mun said, I've continued giving him his dosages. Is it possible the ear infection grew a tolerance to the medications? Maybe a side effect of either of the meds, or all of them? It's really scaring me, and it's such a weird coincidence that it's exactly three weeks after he started his meds. He's been fine on them until now!

 

[mamarat]

How old is Alphonse? I wonder if it's PT? I once had a rat with an ear tumor and it was affecting his eye as well. I'm so sorry you're going through this. Any chance you can take him back to the vet?

 

[Scythe]

I have no idea for sure. They said he was six months old when I got him, so he's gotta be around 10 months by now? If anything, I'd think he was under a year even if they were a little off on his age.

 

[mamarat]

He's too young for PT but maybe a tumor in his ear? Sam had a tumor growing inside his ear going into the back of his eye. Why is he on Metacam?

 

[Scythe]

I was told it was to work as an anti-inflammatory for the inner ear infection.

 

[Godmother]

I hope that it is not a tumour. One of mine responded really well to Chlorpalm instead of Baytril & Clavamox, so maybe your vet would prescribe a switch. So much depends on what the bacteria are. I had also read that ear infections are really stubborn and need six weeks of the antibiotics (not as long for the anti-inflammatory).

 

[SQ]

I was told it was to work as an anti-inflammatory for the inner ear infection.

It does but he may need something stronger like dex or pred.
Also you might want to try a diff antibiotic such as baytril + clavamox combo or chloramphenicol.
Hope you can take him back to Dr Munn as he is a good vet ... hopefully it isn't a tumor ....

When Gus had an inner ear infection he was on meds for about a month and it returned once the meds were stopped.
It took several months to get rid of the infection.

Hope he is soon feeling better

 

[mamarat]

My vet won't prescribe dex or pred with a true ear infection. She says the meds aren't as effective with the steroids.

 

[Fidget]

Sorry had to change my post, asked questions you'd aswered..... It's odd, like Jorats says below, he didn't get a double dose or get into some other thing that could make him act odd?

 

[jorats]

Could he have fallen or banged his head or maybe have gotten to big a dose of one of the meds?
If not... I think a recheck is in order.

 

[Scythe]

@ Godmother & SQ : I think I might take that to the Vet with me when I go back. Asking for a switch, and a longer time period of medication. I don't have much experience with Dr.Mun so I hope he'll either have some sort of better idea or let me try that.

@ Jorats & Fidget : I don't think he would have hit his head to cause his disorientation like this. It seems more like he'd be hitting his head now... As for the Eye, maybe, but the side of his head doesn't look like he's hit it and when I look through his fur to his skin, I don't see bruising... Do Rats bruise like we do?

I'm positive he wasn't overdosed or underdosed, or even missed a dose. I was careful in making sure all the syringes were clean, that he got every last drop of it, and that he ate everything that I gave him when I mixed the meds into it. I'm absolutely positive it wasn't an error like that... And afer I'd made that topic about the medications -- I made sure he got the metacam 20-30 minutes before he got the Baytril or Doxy -- And the last few doses I've waited twenty minutes between those, too, just to make sure it wasn't that, but it didn't make a difference.

I also just weighed him... The last time I weighed him was Mid-March, just before the infection began -- he was 450g. I didn't weigh him during the infection, but I fed him ensure to make sure he was eating and hydrated -- and he was in the early 400g's at Dr.Mun's. Now he's at 395g. Is this too fast a weight loss? I've tried to find Pablum to keep the weight on him, but I can't find that anywhere -- just ensure...

 

[MomRat]

I would say, keep an eye out for other PT signs, curling of the paws, using teeth where they would normally use the tongue, circling. Otherwise, listen to everyone else. =)

 

[Scythe]

I would say, keep an eye out for other PT signs, curling of the paws, using teeth where they would normally use the tongue, circling. Otherwise, listen to everyone else. =)

That makes me worry -- He does circle in his cage. When he's on a ledge or trying to manuever around the other two, he'll start to circle(backwards or forwards).

And if he's curling his paws, that might be why he's falling? but would a PT cause his head to tilt?

 

[MomRat]

Yes, PT causes head tilt, although our 18mo Jacob never did develop a tilt before he passed. =( Our warning signs with him were falling off of shelves, toothing where he used to lick, and general malaise. If you start thinking this is PT instead of an ear infection, the sooner you get Pred in him, the better.

Signs to watch for:
http://ratguide.com/health/neoplasia/pi ... _tumor.php

 

[Scythe]

I went and looked at Rat Guide... I think Dr.Mun is going to get tired of me freaking out(I originally called to make an apt for the head tilt thinking it was a stroke) and looking up this stuff all the time someday.

All the signs I've noticed are bolded, and I went and looked at him closely for the eye symptoms to make sure.

* Gradual weakness and lack of coordination (often more noticeable in the forelimbs).
* Stiffness or inability to flex forelimbs that gradually progresses to the hind limbs as the tumor continues to grow.
* One eye protruding more than the other. This can be due to asymmetrical growth of the tumor pressing on structures behind the eye, and is referred to as exophthalmia.
* Unequal pupil size in one eye compared to the other (may appear as blown/dilated pupil due to pressure or bleeding behind the eye).
* Difficulty holding food when eating.
* Circling, head tilt, seizures, hydrocephalus and sudden death.
* Head pressing/Head bumping. This sign may be present when there is increased intracranial pressure (rat may bump head up when petted, or extend head pressing against a fixed surface).

Oh, my god. ;;

 

[Scythe]

Is it possible for Metacam to help with the discomfort of a tumor? As it works as an anti-inflammatory. I'm just wondering; if it were a PT, how come the meds had such a fast improvement on him? Is it possible they made the tumor more comfortable, and thus pushed back the symptoms until the tumor got worse and the meds no longer helped make him comfortable?

I'm scared that this is what's going on... I've only had him for four months, and he's not even a year old.

 

[SQ]

If he has a fast growing tumor, it is possible that the meds helped with inflamation but that the tumor is growing fast so the meds are no longer making enough of a difference.
This would explain the return of the symptoms.
Hopefully this is not the reason.

 

[Scythe]

I hope it's not, either... But the vet is double booked and then gone until next friday. :sad3:

 

[SQ]

Can you explain the emergency nature of your need for an appointment ... meds not working so need immediate change in meds.
If it is a fast growing tumor, he may die or need to be pts if it affects his ability to breath, within a few days.

 

[Scythe]

The only apt they had was in the morning tomorrow, but I don't know what to do because I have to be in at work at ten, and my managers aren't exactly as sympathetic with me about these things as they are about other peoples dogs or cats. Im scared if I cal lthem and tell them the truth they aren't going to take me seriously and I'm going to be expected to still be there for my shift.

I might make it there if I had a drive there, home, and to work -- but it'd be tight(especially if I was going to give him medicine right away -- and I would, because 8/9am/pm is when they get their medications), and I don't have a car... (Gramps hates driving downtown and refuses no matter what, and Dad is going to peterborough today...)

Is it crazy of me to call Dr.Munn's office and ask them to tentatively book me for that time for now, and if I can't make it, I'll let them know by a certain time tonight?