Ongoing treatment for inner ear infection

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DanielZielwolf

New Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2018
Messages
1
Location
Melbourne
I just adopted a male rat around 2 years old who's previously had an inner ear infection and because of that he has issues keeping his balance.

I haven't looked after a rat with this issue before. All my other rats have had respiratory issues.

He did get a course of Amoxicillin at the time to treat the infection and Meloxicam (brand name: Loxicom, oral suspension for dogs) for the inflammation, but his foster carer said she'd fallen behind with the Meloxicam.

I'm just wondering what the long-term treatment is for the inner/balance issue. Should he stay on the Meloxicam long-term to treat inflammation /pain? Or is the balance issue a residual symptom?

I've put him on a course of Doxycycline since receiving him as he had a lot of porphyrin around the nose. That's since cleared up in the last few days and he's very active and perky given his age.
 
I would add baytril or zithro to his doxy as if he's still dizzy, the initial treatment probably didn't cure him and he needs a combo for weeks to help him.
 
Once the inner ear infection is cured, he will not need to be on meds, but it can take months.

If the Meloxicam is not helping enough, you may want to use pred. It is used to reduce inflammation and help prevent or reduce permanent damage. The down side is that it has a negative impact on the immune system which is why the vet put him on meloxicam (which is a pain med with anti inflammatory properties)

http://ratguide.com/health/auricle_ear/otitis_media_otitis_interna_labyrinthitis.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/endocrine_hormones/prednisone_prednisolone.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/nsaids/meloxicam.php
 
Once the inner ear infection is cured, he will not need to be on meds, but it can take months.

If the Meloxicam is not helping enough, you may want to use pred. It is used to reduce inflammation and help prevent or reduce permanent damage. The down side is that it has a negative impact on the immune system which is why the vet put him on meloxicam (which is a pain med with anti inflammatory properties)

http://ratguide.com/health/auricle_ear/otitis_media_otitis_interna_labyrinthitis.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/endocrine_hormones/prednisone_prednisolone.php
http://ratguide.com/meds/nsaids/meloxicam.php

His balance hasn't improved. I spoke to his previous carer and she said the vet (a specialist) said the damage was already permanent. The antibiotics did clear up porphyrin discharge. He's already 2yo so I guess he'll just live with it. He's much more energetic and lively than when I got him though.
 
I have a little girl who was very sickly and had an ear infection.. She is very dizzy still but happy and she'll be dizzy for the rest of her life~
 
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