mouse sneezing..cheerping..squeeking..

Question
QUESTION: Hi Natasha,

For about 3 weeks I bought my pet mouse (Reepicheep) at a local pet store. He has always been very active no matter if its day or night.

about a week ago, out of nowhere i noticed he squeeqs more than usual, then again, i thought he was playing or being friendly.. but later noticed that he also sneezes. Now I've been doing some research, and changed the bedding to Care Fresh.. but the problem remains..

I really don't know what to do.. he is still pretty active, but im worried about the sneezing..

Could you please point me into the right direction.. If necessary I will take him to the vet..

Thanks form me and Reepicheep!

ANSWER: Dear Maria,

I'm glad you can take Reepicheep to the vet. That's where he needs to go. He has a respiratory infection and needs antibiotics.  He'll be better quickly but you need to continue the course of antibiotics as long as the vet says.  If you have to give him medicine by mouth, make sure the vet teaches you how to do so. It's not all that easy.

Best of luck to Reepicheep (adorable name!)

squeaks,

Natasha

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Natasha,

Thanks again for your advice. A friend who is in his last semester of veterinary school came over. He said it looks like a respiratory infection. But that there is no way to be completely sure, because it might me an allergy related to dust or air freshener products. He recommended Tracycline. He said I can get it at the local pet store.

I looked for it online there at 2 versions the one for fish and one for birds? which one should I get, he did not say.

The other thing that is worrying me, he said to follow his instructions for 3 weeks. But what if it is allergies? Would it harm him? He was not so sure about his answer, I noticed he hesitated, he said "well, it really shouldn't" to me that doesn't say yes or no.. What do you think? should I take Reepicheep to the vet still or follow his instructions?

Thanks!

Answer
Dear Maria,

The vet has far better medications than Tetracycline. In fact last month I had a mouse with sneezes, and the Tetracycline that I had on hand did nothing for her. When I put her on Amoxicillin, which is prescription only, she got better in a few days. I only recommend Tetracycline for people who really can't afford a vet trip and have no other options. I really recommend taking her to the vet and getting some more effective medication.

As far as allergies, that is unlikely unless you made a change to something just at the time he started sneezing. If he was fine for two weeks he has probably not developed an allergy. It is still possible though. If you gave him Tetracycline and he was still sneezing, you still wouldn't know if it was allergies or if the Tetracycline wasn't strong enough. And it isn't dangerous to give antibiotics when the mouse turns out not to be sick when it is allergies.

In the following post I describe how to go about testing for allergies.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2010/6/Fur-loss-mouse-other-1.htm

If you still decide not to go to the vet, this is how to use the Tetracycline:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2010/9/17-month-old-mouse.htm

Best of luck to Reepicheep!

squeaks,

Natasha