mouse: mites or lice?

Question
i am not sure if my mouse pipsqueak has mites or lice . he has some bald patches on his back just at the start of the spine. and is scratching it but i don't no how often. also what stuff do i buy at the pet store to help him. and will bathing him help with his problem?

Answer
Dear Georgia,

It does not matter if it is lice or mites. If the mouse has any parasites, follow the following directions:

To remove the parasites, I use the flea and tick spray from 8-in-1.   For a mild case I recommend the BIRD spray, which is gentler than the rodent version. Hopefully you can find this in your local pet store. Otherwise, here are two links for the spray:

Petsmart:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752081&cp=2767038.2769320&f.

PetCareRX:

http://www.petcarerx.com/pcrx/ProductPages/Product.aspx?pid=10149&k=8%20in1%20Sm.


After reading the directions carefully, shake the can well.  Spray the mouse from a few inches away and rub the liquid in until all of its fur is soaked.  Do this over a bed or with someone holding onto its tail, because a wet mouse can jump.  Although I use my hands, the label does say not to let it touch your skin.  If you don't want to get it on your hands then put rubber gloves on and use a small sponge, which you very liberally cover with the liquid spray, and rub it all over the mouse's fur.

Make sure it is warm and absolutely dry before you return it to the cage.  Its cage must be completely cleaned and rinsed and all bedding and toys must be new, with the exception of plastic items which you wash carefully or boil, or glass.  I don't recommend saving any wooden items.

The spray is pretty strong stuff, and some mice suffer some skin pain within a few hours, which can last perhaps 12 hours.  If Mousie squeaks when touched or even when alone in the nest, all you can do is give it your condolences.  It will feel better within 8 hours.  This only happens to some mice.  The bird spray is far less likely to cause this.  It's definitely no reason not to treat the mouse, though.

If, after 2-3 days, this has helped, then repeat the entire procedure 7-10 days later.  This will kill off the mites which were protected inside eggs when you first sprayed.

If you used the bird spray and it helped but did not completely cure the problem, you will have to use the stronger, rodent version of the spray.  Use the same procedure.  

Do this as soon as possible. Parasites can kill a mouse.

squeaks,

Natasha
<:3   )--~