Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am just starting to breed rats, and have sufferred through the unfriendly 'petsmart' rats (bred with a local friendly unrelated male.)
The babies were given a lot of attention, and are friendly, and handleable.
The first of those babies after her first litter developed a head tilt a week after delivering the pups.
She is still friendly, (and sitting on my shoulder as I type this.) and certainly as fertile. Since this condition won't be spread to the other rats, and the babies will never reach adulthood, is there any problem with keeping her until she delivers her next litter?
Or until it affects her quality of life?
Any perspectives from the vioces of experience would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Spell check alert: voices
Also, is there any possible danger to her only brother or her 10 younger sisters or is it just a random thing?

I should also note that there is no swelling, weight loss, odors accociated with drainage, no sneezing, no eye problems, etc.
This rat is perfectly healthy and active, except for a minor head tilt. She is in no pain.

if it was a genetic disorder then the rat would have had the tilt from day one.. not suddenly developing it after having a litter.

I would have her checked by a vet for an ear infection. it might not be a problem right now but if that is what it is it will likely continue to get worse and soon cause a lot of pain. If you let it get too bad and don't start treatment early then damage to the inner ear will be irreversible and the tilt will be permanent.
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PHWyvern

I would say it is/was caused by..
infection
tumor
injury
in that order of likelihood.
Whether she is or was sick it can be a leftover.
I have had rats/mice that developed a tilt after a brief or almost non existent illness. Generally with mice they tend to perpetually circle and then perish. Rats, less so.
I have been told some get tumors but have never necropsied to confirm this.
I have had rats given to me that had an injury and tilt after. That went on to reproduce no problems.
If yours continues to reproduce I would let it go.
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

I agree with Sonya. Another thing to keep in mind is that it is a rat and soon to be snake poop. I would simply feed her off and start with another.
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Wade's Weptiles & Wodents

The feed her off thing would normally be a no-brainer, except that I breed the rats for kings/corns/rubber boa sized snakes, I have nothing that could eat her.
I may have a friend that has a ball python or 2, he may give her a 'good home' soon.
Just wondered what my chances of getting another litter out of her....

Here is some info from a pet rat site....

http://members.aol.com/MMCart3475/Myco.html

Mycoplasma pulmonis

Clinical Signs and Symptoms

"....If you are hearing sneezing often and if it responds to antibiotic treatment, it more than likely is the M. pulmonis causing it. Other symptoms are sniffling, rough hair coat, and torticollis (head tilt). If aggressive treatment is not started at the first sign of head tilt, head tilt can become a permanent condition."

DeMak's opinion

IF this is the cause, I wouldn't worry. Most colonies have Myco. If they have a good diet and are well cared for, they are generally fine. Much the same way that we all carry some viral load and are fine. Perhaps the stress of moving, mating and giving birth caused this flare up. The pups (and colony mates) have probably all been exposed by now and have developed some immunity. Her head tilt may be permanent but long as she seems healthy, is productive and doesn't seem to be in pain, then she's probably fine.

This would be a good time to stop bringing outsiders into the colony and maintain quarantine. The site's author has much to say about rat shows. None of it very nice