The Sick Mouse (Mouse Health)

A sick mouse will become less active and may stop eating or loose weight. Mice can deteriorate very quickly, so if your concerned you should take the mouse to your vet.

Respiratory Infections

The symptoms of a respiratory infection includes noisy breathing and/or sneezing, sticky eyes. Check to see if more than one mouse is affected, a simple cause could be an allergy to the bedding. The most common respiratory problem in rodents is a virus called MYCOPLASMA PULMONIS A vet would usually prescribe antibiotics such as Baytril given by mouth or put in the water.

Colds

The symptoms are much the same as in humans and will usually improve after a few weeks. Keep the mouse warm give extra bedding and separate from other mice. A more serious condition is called infectious catarrh which quickly spreads to other mice. The symptoms are similar to a normal cold but include squeaky, rattily breathing, a runny nose, sore watery eyes and a hunched body with ruffled fur. The nose can get swollen making it difficult for the mouse to breathe. This infection progresses rapidly showing after about 10-14 days, and is usually life threatening, as there is no treatment. The cause of a normal cold is usually as a result of severe changes in the room temperature, keeping the cage in a draft or in high humidity. Mice can also catch a cold or get respiratory problems from humans.

Diarrhea

if you give your mouse to much lettuce, cabbage or broccoli this can cause diarrhea. The symptoms are obvious. Cut out veg and fruit for a few days and only give dry food mix for a while. After about a week you can introduce fruit and veg again.

Injuries

The most likely cause of injuries are from fighting. Any wounds left untreated could lead to an abscess or infection. Bathe the wound with warm water. Abscesses will need to be drained.

Internal injuries are usually the result of your mouse falling from a height such as being dropped or being squeezed when you pick him/her up. If this happens you will probably be suffering from shock or have painful internal injuries Observe the mouse in ti;s cage for a short while any case it's probably best to get your mouse checked out with a vet in case it has got internal injuries Keep the mouse in a towel on it's side during the journey.

Parasites

The parasites mice can get are mites, lice and occasionally fleas. The signs are sever scratching, sores and/or crusty skin and if left open wounds. The parasites usually come from untreated hay or sawdust or from a new infected mouse introduced to the group. You can treat the parasites with a powder or Ivermectin from your vets. You could also try placing a fly strip near the cage. (mice do scratch a little when stressed)

Intestinal parasites

Mice can get tapeworms and roundworms. Signs are weight loss, anemia, diarrhea, listlessness and dull fur. You might also find worms in their droppings. Treatment is by medication from your vet.

Tumors

Most tumors are mistaken for an abscess which can be easily drained. Tumors can be smooth/lumpy or hard and appear small at first then get bigger. In female mice tumors are usually found in the milk glands. While in Male mice they can appear in the testicles. If you think your mouse has got a tumor check with your vet, unfortunately it's most likely to be cancerous and will be fatal to the mouse. The tumors can be removed but this is stressful for the mouse and it might not survive the operation.

Eye problems

a crusty discharge or runny eyes are most likely to be the symptoms of conjunctivitis. An injury to the eye from a sharp object will need urgent treatment to save the eye. Older mice can get cataract making the eye dull and cloudy. No treatment can be given for this condition but mice usually adapt quite well.

Hereditary Illnesses

Hereditary illnesses consist of waltzing which is where the mouse turns around in circles, and is a congenital disease caused by a defect to the brain and the middle ear. Affected mice stop growing, and usually don't survive. Other hereditary defects include a bent, short or split tail. You can also get bald mice or problems with epilepsy, nosy breathing or deformed teeth too name just as few.

Dental Problems

deformed jaw or teeth will need constant trimming. Mice teeth continually grow and will need to be worn down on hard food, to stop them becoming overgrown. Some mice suffer from teeth continually breaking, this could be due to a calcium deficiency.

Old Age

A mouse will usually start to show signs of old age when he/she is between one and three years old. The mouse will lack activity, have a poor appetite and loose weight, an arched back, bald spots and eczema or dull fur.