Mouse scratches ear violently: mites, infection, allergies?

Question

oreo   Hello,

I have been reading your page and I have a very sick little mouse. His name is oreo, and he's not doing so well. I noticed of late he's been itching his ear. I thought it was because of the pine bedding that I was forced to use because I ran out of his usual bedding.

So I finally got his old bedding and cleaned out the cage from top to bottom with hot and soapy water and put him back in. Oreo is the only mouse in the tank because when I bought him, he was the only mouse there. And since he has been sick, I didn't want to infect another mouse.

He stopped itching after I changed the bedding but then started again a day later. I thought it was mites but he keeps itching at his one year.  His ear is now swollen shut. I went to the pet store to get the antibotic you were recommending they had one bottle left but the dose I felt was too high, 250 mg, so I put less then 1/4 in his bottle . I'm not sure if that was too little.

He is eating, drinking, and running on his wheel but he is itching that ear so bad and I don't know what to do with this because he runs from me when I try to touch him. But earlier today with help, I was able to get creme on his ear but he started to squeak at me so I don't know how much I got on his ear. I don't have money for a vet, I'm hoping you can help him.

Thank you
Ashlie and little oreo

Answer
Dear Ashlie.

I'm sorry for poor Oreo. He is very unhappy.

Besides the possibility of mites-- and you should treat for mites-- he may have an ear infection.

First, to treat for mites, follow the directions on this post:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2011/9/mouse-mites-lice.htm


As for treating a possible infection, he needs an initial strong dose besides having it in his water. These directions describe that process:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2010/3/antibiotic-bad-eye-infection.htm


It is still possible that he is suffering from allergies. In the following post I described how to deal with possible allergies as well:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2010/6/Itchy-Mouse-2.htm

You should not treat for mites in more than one way at once; that is, use *either* the 8 in 1 *or* the ivermectin ( I never recommend a bath for a mouse), which I describe here:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2010/9/cure-mouse-mites-ivermectin.htm

The reason I usually recommend the pyrethrin spray is that it is easier to obtain.

I hope he gets better. I understand not being able to get to a vet.

squeaks,

Natasha