three dead mice in two weeks

Question
My son bought a mouse with a cage, fodder, food, etc at a local pet store.  Within two days it was sluggish and shivered now and then, and within four days it was dead.  We went back to the pet store and they gave us two more mice--very energetic lively duo.  Both started to get a bit sluggish and then they both died a week after we brought them home.  We fed them enough, they were kept at between 65 and 70 degrees.  Could it be they weren't getting enough water?--there was plenty of water in the water pipe thing, but we couldn't tell if they were drinking any--how much does a Mouse drink a day.  At any rate, I called the pet store and they will give us three mice, but at this point I hesitate bringing home three mice just to have them  die.

Answer
Dear Sally,

I'm sorry about the little mice.

If you are ever unsure if they are getting water, give them either straight liquid in a bowl, something like Wasa bread soaked in water or soy milk, or wet vegetables such as cucumber, carrots, celery, or green pepper.  I am assuming the mice in the store were already drinking out of a bottle?

My advice is, don't go back to that pet store. Either their stock is bad or they have disease in the cage. When you get more mice from a different pet store, make sure everything gets washed in either boiling water or water with a tiny bit of bleach. Throw away anything that can't be washed.

If something still goes wrong, then it is something on your end. But if they are getting standard mouse food, the temperature is above 65 degrees, and they are getting water, they should be OK. One suspect is any chemicals you might use nearby - air fresheners, furniture polish, hairspray. Let me know if there is still a problem.

squeaks,

Natasha