My rat has an ear infection?

I'm not sure what type of ear infection he's got (inner, outer, whatever) but he's had it for a few months and it seems to be getting worse. His obvious symptoms are a greenish/brownish/yellowy discharge coming from his ear that smells really really bad. (Oh, and it's only his right ear, not both) Also, when I pick him up he seems limp and he hasn't been acting like the good old Templeton I know and love. He's over a year old (I've had him since July 9 of last year and he was already an adult rat when I got him) and his whiskers are droopy, so I know that he's getting older and his time to go is coming closer each day, but if possible I'd like to make him happier and healthier.

My mother hates rats and we're broke right now so it would be extremely difficult for me to take him to the vets even if I had the money to pay the bill. I would appreciate it if you would answer these questions for me for the sake of my poor ratty!

1. Is it possible for him to get better without medicine from the vet? If so, how?

2. What can I do to make him more comfortable and make it less painful?

3. Are there any foods that aid the healing process that are safe for Templeton to eat?

Any help or suggestions are really appreciated, please don't scold me on not taking him to the vet. I know that he can't help being sick and it's my responsibility as his human companion to take him to the vet when he's ill but there is absolutely no way that I can take him right now under my current circumstances. I feel awful about it and that's why I'm trying to find a way to make him better at home.

Thank you for reading & a huge huge huge thank you if you answer - 10 points to most detailed and helpful answer! (:

Ear infections need to be treated early with antibiotics. I'm sorry to say it will not go away on it's own, but will only get worse. If untreated it can cause a severe head tilt and facial paralysis. (droopy wiskers?) I don't know if you can get it without a script but a combination of amoxicillin and enrofloaxacin should be used with some kind of anti-inflamatory, like a steroid is vital for recovery.

See ratfanclub.org
Go to RAT INFO and look under respiratory infections...Here is some info...also has dosing instructions. Hope this helps!

Antibiotic Treatment
Although mycoplasmosis in rats is basically incurable, treatment with antibiotics can help control the damage. Antibiotics are also vital in treating secondary bacterial infections.

A head tilt caused by an inner ear infection requires early and aggressive treatment if the symptoms are to be reversed. Since this can also be caused by a secondary bacterial infection, Baytril, chloramphenicol, or gentamicin (always with a penicillin antibiotic) which tend to be effective against most other bacteria as well as mycoplasma, are recommended. Treatment with an anti-inflammatory such as prednisone at 1 mg/lb twice a day or ibuprofen at 60 mg/lb twice a day, along with the antibiotics, is also vital to help reduce inflammation in the inner ear.

A head tilt can also be caused by a pituitary tumor or stroke, and in this case the primary treatment is with steroids. But an antibiotic should also be given since steroids depress the immune system, and can also help shrink a tumor.

In my experience, the best antibiotics to use against mycoplasma are doxycycline and/or Baytril. These antibiotics can be ordered for birds from Jedd鈥檚 Pigeon Supplies (see sources below). For information about mixing and using doxycycline see 鈥淢ixing Medications into Liquid鈥?below.

Amoxicillin is available as fish capsules in some pet shops and feed stores and by mail order from Jedd鈥檚 Pigeon Supplies or Doctors Fosters & Smith (see sources below). Amoxicillin is recommended for an acute infection, a secondary infection, or a possible strep infection. For information about mixing and using amoxicillin see 鈥淢ixing Medications into Liquid鈥?below. Other antibiotics that have been successful at treating some secondary infections are trimethoprim-sulpha, cefadroxil, and chloramphenicol.

If a particular antibiotic is effective against the infectious organism, you should see an improvement in acute symptoms within 2-3 days, or in chronic symptoms within a week. If you don鈥檛 see any improvement within this time, you must try a different antibiotic. When treating a secondary respiratory infection, antibiotics should be continued for at least 2 weeks, or at least a week after all the symptoms disappear to prevent an immediate relapse. Treatment should be reinstated if the symptoms come back. If one antibiotic is no longer effective, try another one.

When treating mycoplasma, the minimum length of treatment should be 3 weeks, and 5-6 weeks is probably better in most cases. For some rats, those that have frequent reoccurances of symptoms, it is best to continue treatment for several months, or maybe even the rest of the rat鈥檚 life. Remember, mycoplasma is incurable and must be treated aggressively and persistently. Doxycycline and Baytril can be used for long periods of time without any ill effects in most rats.

If you have an older friend, neighbor, grandparent or someone who will take you to the vet and pay for it, you need to ask them. He needs a vet's attention. Maybe you could offer to work around their house to repay them, but Templeton needs help.

You might be able to give him a little benedril. I know that's safe for dogs and cats to use. But honestly, without a trip to the vet I don't think there's much you can do.