Head tilt? :(

One of my RF mice is exhibiting really severe head tilt that I had not noticed until just now. She has her head tilted to one side and is walking in circles.

I'm not sure if it is stress related or injury related or something else. She lives in a group of seven and none of the other mice are having this problem. I'm quite worried!

Does anyone have any experience with head tilt? Should I let it go for now and see what happens or should I cull her? She is more than welcome to stay here as a pet, as I absolutely adore her coloring, but I'm really quite concerned about her quality of life. She seems to be walking around the tank, though she stumbles a lot.

Head tilts can be caused by ear/resp infections, infections in the brain, tumors, or injury.....and it can be difficult to tell which is the culprit

I am hoping against hope for an ear infection. I just took a video of her and she sneezed a few times during it. Perhaps a respiratory infection is the culprit? I'm going to bring her to my vet first thing tomorrow morning. I'll pick up baytril for the sneezing and probably just treat all the mice (not the nursing mama).

Oy vey!

Here's a video of the poor girl, in case that helps determine what the issue might be. Any other input would be wonderful. I'm a worried mouse mom

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3483953370450

I took her to the vet early this morning and they gave me some baytril to give to her. I'm having a bit of trouble getting her to take it (vet recommended I put it in yogurt but she's not eating it) but I'm hoping this helps the poor girl.

I posted this to TFM because I know I'll get an answer quickly there, but if anyone has any input that would be wonderful!

A few questions:

First, I have a mouse with head tilt, presumably from an inner ear infection. I took her to the emergency vet this morning and they gave me several milligrams of Baytril to treat her with. I can't seem to get her to take it though! I have mixed some of the Baytril in yogurt and might try mixing some into her water bottle, but I want to be able to monitor how much she is getting.

Second, I wanted to treat the colony of girls she lives with (seven other mice) but the vet refused to give me anymore Baytril than what I needed for this one mouse. I have a friend who works who is trying to get more for me, but does anyone have any suggestions as to where I could possibly go for more Baytril? The vet told me that unless they were tilting her head like this one mouse, I should wait it out even if the others are sneezing. I'm not seeing how that's going to ever be a good idea since mice are so delicate. She was the only one who could take me in last minute today though (my regular vet does not treat mice) so my hands are kind of tied here. :/

Third, one of the mice that I would need to treat based on her having been in the same cage as the head tilt mouse was just put into a tank with a male yesterday to breed (before I saw that head tilt mouse was having problems- she seemed absolutely fine until last night). Should I separate this mouse from the male now or leave them be and treat them both, and if I treat them both, how much of a risk is there for potential harm to the babies? I know Baytril is not okay to give to a pregnant or nursing mouse- I'm just hoping she isn't pregnant yet.

Thank you for any advice you have to offer

Just scruff her and squirt it into her mouth. She will not be happy but it is a sure fire way to make her take her meds! lol

Is there a risk of her aspirating if I do that?

Nevermind, that worked like a charm! Thank you

as far as more Baytril, a lot of people who can recognize URIs and problems on their own get a big bottle of it from certain bird supply websites. I personally got mine from ladygouldianfinch.com for around $40. It has lasted a year and well worth the investment.

the other source is www.allbirdproducts.com (I think that's right....)

Enrofloxyn (generic Baytril) is available $40 for 100cc at Jedd's Bird Supply. Google them, but call the 800 number. You can order it only over the telephone.

I am lucky..... I get the injectable baytril from work. I get to order it and pay cost. It is still $50, but still - very convient for me. It is good to work at a vet hospital.

The injectable lasts much longer then the liquid, but really unavailable on the net for the most part.

I was given injectable Baytril by the vet- kind of sucks that I can't get that again, but they charged me an arm and a leg as it is!

Unfortunately head tilt girl doesn't look any better. I'm keeping a close eye on her though.

I hope she starts to improve soon. Keep us all posted!

What did the vet say was wrong with her exactly? Or was he not sure?

Okay, I don't know what to do. I went through ten days of Baytril, then have had her on Baytril ear drops. She still looks like heck. Sneezing too. Should I just keep treating her with Baytril or let this run its course? I feel awful for the poor thing as it looks completely uncomfortable.

I have her in with a pet store mouse I purchased recently (went through QT) but who I cannot put with the other girls because she gets beat up. The pet store mouse has been very helpful and has been helping to take care of head tilt girl (Harmony) but I'm really worried that this is never going to get better. Will this go away on its own? Should I wait longer? :/

doganddisc wrote:Okay, I don't know what to do. I went through ten days of Baytril, then have had her on Baytril ear drops. She still looks like heck. Sneezing too. Should I just keep treating her with Baytril or let this run its course? I feel awful for the poor thing as it looks completely uncomfortable.

I have her in with a pet store mouse I purchased recently (went through QT) but who I cannot put with the other girls because she gets beat up. The pet store mouse has been very helpful and has been helping to take care of head tilt girl (Harmony) but I'm really worried that this is never going to get better. Will this go away on its own? Should I wait longer? :/

I wish I knew more to tell you. My snowball, pet store mouse, has been like this since April. She did the baytril but then started to have seizures so I have stopped. She was almost ALL cleared up but the sneezing and funny breathing (sorta sounds like a little sqeek sometimes) is back also, but she's eating and drinking just fine and don't seem to be in pain. I have up hope that she will get better. We are getting her a pet store mouse for companion because she don't seem to like being alone and just let it take it course. I would keep her far away from the other mice and make sure while feeding you do her last and wash your hands very good. One of our other mice got a little sniffle but it cleared up, the only thing I could come up with is Logan feeding them snacks while I was working and not washing his hands. We now have two buckets going! LOL

How are her eyes by the way? Snowballs looks HORRIBLE! I'll have to take pictures!