Small cuts on (lonely) pet mouses tail

Question
Hello Natasha!

My fancy mouse has recently (within the last two days) developed cuts on her tail. It looks almost like the chopping marks on a tree - many small and rather deep cuts. Her sister passed away yesterday from pneumonia, so she's alone for the time being. Her sister did not have the same tail cuts and my current mouse has no signs of pneumonia - she's very active, playful, and healthy aside from her tail. She tends to spill her water everywhere, so her bedding can get wet at times. I try to clean the cage once a week. All of her toys are plastic at the moment, except for a wooden ladder and nest. I've never seen cuts like this in an isolated mouse before and have assumed it's a fungal infection, but I'm not sure. I've started putting antifungal ointment on her tail, but if you have a better idea of what's wrong with her and how to treat it, that would be very helpful!

I hope this is enough information! I can send a picture if you need one...

Thank you!
Jennifer and Marshmallow

Answer
Dear Jennifer & Marshmallow,

The best thing is always to go to the vet. There are several reasons for mice to get scabs in general; I don't know if there may even be tail-specific conditions (remember I have no medical training; actually I am a behavior expert and do my best to answer whatever else I can). That being said...

My best guess is mites. Does she show any signs of redness, scabs, or fur loss anywhere else? Does she scratch a lot? Mice always have a very minor case of mites. When they are healthy and in pairs, they are strong enough to resist a problem; and they also clean them off of each other. Losing a friend and losing a mite-remover are a double-whammy for a lonely mouse. It is quite common for  mites to turn up at a time like this, even though both mice were fine before.

Even though mites are likely, and treating for mites may be a best first step; still the vet can do a better job not only of diagnosing, but also of treating for mites, than you can. They have liquid (usually sold as Revolution) which they put on the mouse's neck, and any mites that bite the mouse in the following month will die. If you use a spray, you are only killing the current generation of mites, which is why you have to reapply after 7-10 days. Also a wet, sprayed mouse is a very unhappy mouse.

If you can't get to the vet, follow the instructions I gave to this questioner:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2010/3/Itchy-Mouse-treating-mites.htm

If you write back, do supply a picture just so I can see if it looks like anything else to me.

Best of luck, little Marshmallow. Please forgive Jennifer if she gets you all wet with a smelly spray. She means well!

squeaks,

Natasha
<:3  )--~