My mice wont stop scratching herself

Question

This is brownie in her   QUESTION: Hello Natasha,
       I bought my pet mice in February 2011 I had two one brown and one white but apparently the white one passed away after two month I got her.... After she passed away I noticed my mice [Brown one] began scratching because before the other one died they were cleaning each other and stuff but [Brownie is her name] is scratching herself like crazy! Her ears are bleeding and she is loosing fur around her eyes and neck, so I did a bit of research and thought she had mites because those are the common ones that mice has so I went out and bought a "UltraCare Flea&Tick spray" which also remove mites too I searched for vets around my area but none of them does check ups on mice.. When I came home I sprayed my mice 3 times shaking the bottle very well each week and I kept doing that then I realized her right side got better because fur started growing back but she still kept on scratching her neck, right and left ear I couldn't stand her like that so I kept on doing what I had to do I sprayed her and I cleaned her cag3 days every week but It didn't help at all...[Washing all her toys, wheel, food bowl, and cage, also the bedding] So I thought that the she didn't had mites but I'm not too sure! But please help me and thank you for your time answering my question!
 Thanks, Alyssa

ANSWER: Dear Alyssa,

You did all the right things for mites. However, it is possible that she still has mites and it is simply a very bad case of them. Will your vet sell you a box of Revolution for kittens? Or do you or anyone you know have a dog or cat and has some Revolution? That is really the best stuff for parasites. It gets into the mouse's bloodstream and kills anything that bites her, for a whole month. You would take a little dab, one small drop, and rub it very thoroughly into the skin at the back of her neck. Not fur, but skin. And don't let her wash for five minutes.

I would definitely try that. However, it is also pretty likely she has an allergy instead. I just realized I missed this question today and wanted to answer asap, so I am not on my computer. But there should be a recent post which has the word "links" in the title, which you should read. I will get on a computer later and amend this answer to give you either a link or the information about how to test and treat for allergies.  You will get a second notification telling you I have amended the answer. If you don't hear by tomorrow noon, write back.  

Soon,

Natasha



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi natasha
        I think also think that brownie might also have a bit mites and a allergy but I'm not sure what shes allergic to... and about the Revolution can you only get it at vets? or can you buy it at a pet shop? Because where I live there is lots of pet shops and they are very big. And is there a certine food for my mice to eat at this kind of situation? And I'm sorry if you couldn't see the picture very well.... also what do I do under her mouth is almost gone like I can see her teeth! And I'm panicing right now because I always see her scratching inside her ear while it's bleeding so I was thinking if there was any medication for her ear.
         Thanks, Alyssa

Answer
Hi,

Here we go with a link to a discussion about allergies:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2012/4/mouse-scratching-watery-eyes.htm

As you will read, I suggest you start with a diet of entirely oats and put her in a cage with a wheel, all washed in plain water, and nothing but paper towels as bedding and litter. You will go from there. This starts her at almost zero, allergen-wise.


**

The Revolution comes from a vet, but some vets will sell you the kitten dose without seeing an animal.

There is one other non-prescription option for treating parasites: ivermectin, which you can get for cows (!). I don't usually describe this because I have never used it. But my breeder and several other breeders I know do use it, so I know it is safe and works. Probably better than the spray.

The least expensive source I found is IVER-ON Ivermectin Pour-On for Cattle at Jeffers Livestock, $19.95 (on sale) for 250 ml:

http://www.jefferslivestock.com/ssc/product.asp?CID=2&mscssid=86NED8ESF7KN9PVC6N.

DON'T USE IT STRAIGHT!!

Mix one part ivermectin to 5 parts water. Put in a spray bottle and give the mouse a few good squirts.  Rub it in. Because it works through the blood like the Revolution does-- though less effectively and for less time- it is not important to soak the entire mouse; just make sure it gets into the skin. Avoid her face.

You can do it once a week, though after two weeks the problem should be gone.

**

Use neosporin on any wounds so they don't get infected.


**

Some people say they don't want to try treating for mites and allergies at the same time because they won't know what the problem was. I say, she is absolutely miserable and you should do everything possible for her. There is time later to figure it out.

**

There are a few other possibilities, like a skin fungus, which only the vet can figure out and treat. But this is pretty likely to do the trick. If it doesn't work, though, she must go to the vet.


Let me know what happens to the poor little scratchy itchy girl : ((

squeaks,

Natasha