Any advice about a gerbil with a head tilt?

Re: Any advice about a gerbil with a head tilt?

Mark Rowland — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 20:25:46 GMT

Haha FWIW I disagree

If I worked up a case like this and took rads and saw a st density in the bulla then I can have the discussion with the client based on information.

If I take bloods I can get more information re an inflammatory focus.

If you do nothing, you get no information.

It amazes me that one would do an ear exam under sedation and not X-ray.

Clearly the animal has presented because the client has concerns.

Im just not happy potentially missing something I could treat.

(and to those who say don't blood sample it because its a gerbil, go and boil your head!!!)

Re: Any advice about a gerbil with a head tilt?

Marie Kubiak — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 17:02:50 GMT

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]

Well fwiw

If diagnostics are not possible, I see no issue with a trial of some abs and nsaids.

Otitis media can be quite painful so some meloxicam and marbocyl would not do any harm

If diagnostics are available then bloods and rads are more than possible.

I doubt many people here would just leave a dog or cat without recommending some sort of diagnostics or treatment.

but thats just me :)

[/quote]

But the species is very significant in this case so I absolutely wouldn't treat it like a cat or dog. Polyps and cholesteatomas are really common in gerbils (>50% of gerbils over 2yrs have some form of benign soft tissue mass affecting the ear canal and inner ear) and both are associated with head tilt due to pressure effects. That certainly isn't the same as cats and dogs where infectious conditions predominate and perhaps empirical medical treatment may be more rational. Otitis media is actually very rare in gerbils due to ear anatomy so giving 6-8wks of antibiotics for an unlikely situation is not a great idea with all the current concerns about irresponsible antibiotic usage and resistance induction.

I agree with Gillian - rads won't help your diagnosis - a soft tissue opacity in the bulla could be infectious, polyp, cholesteatoma or papilloma so doesn't get you anwhere in narrowing differentials. I base my diagnosis on a decent ear exam (under sedation if need be) and then consider whether medical therapy or surgical removal of a mass is in the animal's best interest or whether benign neglect of an apparently happy animal with a wonky head is appropriate.

Marie

Re: Any advice about a gerbil with a head tilt?

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 16:08:15 GMT

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]I doubt many people here would just leave a dog or cat without recommending some sort of diagnostics or treatment.[/quote]

I would if it was an old dog who was otherwise well and pain-free! I'm pretty sure I can tell whether a gerbil is in pain by its behaviour. Besides which, if it had otitis media I doubt it would still be trotting along unchanged 6 months later...!!!

Realistically, what would radiographs gain you in this case?

Re: Any advice about a gerbil with a head tilt?

Luca Poddighe — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 15:52:09 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]for what it's worth[/quote]

I couldn't figure it out myself!

Re: Any advice about a gerbil with a head tilt?

Bob Russell — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 12:47:23 GMT

for what it's worth

Re: Any advice about a gerbil with a head tilt?

Luca Poddighe — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 09:37:51 GMT

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]fwiw[/quote]

Sorry if I am daft... What does it mean?

Re: Any advice about a gerbil with a head tilt?

Mark Rowland — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 23:03:38 GMT

Well fwiw

If diagnostics are not possible, I see no issue with a trial of some abs and nsaids.

Otitis media can be quite painful so some meloxicam and marbocyl would not do any harm

If diagnostics are available then bloods and rads are more than possible.

I doubt many people here would just leave a dog or cat without recommending some sort of diagnostics or treatment.

but thats just me :)

Re: Any advice about a gerbil with a head tilt?

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 21:39:06 GMT

I generally end up with the school gerbils during the holidays. One of them has had a head tilt for at least 6 months, but is otherwise fine. I've left it alone!

Re: Any advice about a gerbil with a head tilt?

Marie Kubiak — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 20:52:12 GMT

Any evidence of polyp or otitis? If no clear cause then I wouldn't start throwing meds at it, if a diagnosis is evident then treat if treatment is going to cause less issues than the original problem!

Marie

Re: Any advice about a gerbil with a head tilt?

ruths — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 19:41:43 GMT

yes- I'm thinkint that this might be the curse of action.

Anyone really keen to use baytril for this?

Re: Any advice about a gerbil with a head tilt?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 18:55:29 GMT

[quote user="ruths"]Gerbil happy enough -))[/quote][quote user="ruths"]He's quite old[/quote]

I generally suggest doing nothing.