Gasping mouse

Question
I got two mice from a pet store almost a week and a half ago, and everything seemed to be going fine.  Unfortunately it was almost a week after I brought them home that Sherlock seemed to be having some problems breathing.  I hadn't noticed it at first as he kept himself to his and John's nest for the majority of the day, but when I took him out later he was slow moving and seemed to be gasping for air and making a clicking sound with each gasp.  I had set up a vet appointment for the next day but when I had gotten home from work, he seemed fine.  He had stopped gasping and was running around at full speed.

I did not end up taking him to the vet.

But now after I changed their cage and gave them some fresh food, his problems are back.  I was hoping that it was gonna go away like last time, but this is the second day.

He's still opening his mouth to breathe and making the clicking sound, but occasionally it looks as though he is trying to throw up.  I don't think he's been eating anything, and if so it hasn't been much.  He's more energized than the first time but he still likes to keep hunched in the corner. He also repeatedly rubs at his nose.  John appears to be in good health and has been eating and running around.

My mom and I thought that maybe there was something in the gourmet food that I had bought to add a little to their regular giant pellets (and they loved it), and that maybe something got stuck or possibly scratched his throat. We don't have much experience in owning mice, and the exotic vet in our area is on vacation.

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Dear Kris,

Sherlock is in danger of his life. Opening the mouth, gasping, and clicking can be the last stages of pneumonia. He absolutely has to go to the vet.

Until you can get him to the vet, if he ever gasps he needs a steam bath. Fill the bathroom with steam with the hot shower. Hold him in the steam but DO NOT let him get wet and DO NOT let him fall. He may struggle like the dickens. Try to keep him in there for 10 minutes.

Afterwards you must be very, very sure not to let him get cold. Hold him tight against your skin under your shirt and make your way to your bed, getting under the covers, to let him cool down gradually.

If he is gasping again an hour later you can do it again. But he has to see the vet ASAP. Poor fellow, it would have been better for him if he had not seemed better when you got home from work.

Bring both mice so the vet can check John out too. Also, since males fight so easily, so as not to separate them and have Sherlock come home smelling funny. Ask if you should treat John too; or at least make sure the prescription has a refill in case John needs some later.

I hope Sherlock is OK. Mice and other prey animals hide illness very well, because when they act sick they get eaten. So a sick acting mouse is very sick. They don't just get minor colds like we do.

Best of luck and health to him.

squeaks,

Natasha