Recently, I got a new rat called Leah. Today I noticed that she was stumbling about and falling over in her cage. Her head was tilted to one side and she was walking in circles. I got her out of the cage, and she rolls to one side on my hand, like she can't stand straight. I put her on my bed and she just walks in circles with her head tilted. She also keeps rolling over, always to her left side. Please help, she looks like she's in a lot of distress. I've put her in a single storey cage, and I'm going to ring our vet tomorrow morning. Anybody got any ideas??
Please help!!
- Thread starter RitaRocks
- Start date
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temblabamomo
Senior Member
Sounds like it could be an ear infection. If so, she will need antibiotics from the vet.
Are you able to post a video?
Are you able to post a video?
lilspaz68
Well-Known Member
With the amount of head tilt your girl has, you should ask for a steroid injection (dexamethasone) and possibly some oral pred to take home along with a combo of antibiotics. It sounds like she has a severe inner ear infection from the symptoms. Poor love 
I thought it might be that. I can't post videos (I've tried before) I can post a picture if you'd like
With the amount of head tilt your girl has, you should ask for a steroid injection (dexamethasone) and possibly some oral pred to take home along with a combo of antibiotics. It sounds like she has a severe inner ear infection from the symptoms. Poor love
Okay, thank you. I'll tell that to my vet tomorrow. Do you have any idea why it's come on so quickly? I was playing with her yesterday morning and she was fine
lilspaz68
Well-Known Member
Inner ear infection can hit hard and fast, or very slowly (mild tilt, dizziness then getting worse).
If you can get a series of pics that would help.
If you can get a series of pics that would help.
I'll try and get some good ones. Do you have instagram? Because I posted a video on there
Intense swelling can sometimes cause permanent damage, meaning a permanent tilt/wobbliness. Getting the inflammation under control asap is sometimes more important. The antibiotics are what kill the infection, the immune system just kinda helps finish the job. Since the steroid doesn't usually affect the antibiotics, the two can work together whether or not the immune system is "helping."
Carol Weekes
Well-Known Member
Definitely sounds like an ear infection and you've already received good advice re: antibiotics and a steroid. The steroid will reduce inflammation until the antibiotics can kick in against the infection. Sometimes these infections can take several weeks to clear up, although you should start to see improvement within a few days of starting meds. Some rats are left with a permanent head-tilt (although sometimes less severe than what it was) but do adjust well to this. I hope your little one feels better soon.
