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Question
QUESTION: I purchased two mice yesterday, today one passed away so I brought him back and complained, now my other mouse has not ate or drank since I got him. He won't wake up and I'm scared he is going to pass away not to mention his body is ice cold so I have him in bed with me bundled up. Please help me :(

- Nicole and Zippers

ANSWER: Hi Nicole,

That doesn't sound very good at all.  Unfortunately, many mice pick up illnesses from pet stores because they are exposed to new mice - and one sick mouse can make all of them sick.  Some are more serious problems than others.

Keeping Zippers warm is a very good start - I'm glad you are already working on that.  You can also use a heating pad on its lowest setting underneath half of his cage, but do not put him directly on it.  He needs to take in fluids, so see if you can convince him to munch on a tiny amount of fruit flavored baby food, moist stale bread, or mushed up banana.  You can also try to mix up a little kitten milk replacement with water and use a medicine dropper to offer it to him.  Remember not to force ANYTHING down his throat, as this could cause him to breathe it in and choke.  If he won't take anything, the only thing you can do is keep him warm and comfortable.

My thoughts are with you both.
-Tam

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

QUESTION: Unfortunately my baby passed away, I thought he was better because he started to eat. I went to the kitchen and went to my room and he was laying lifeless, I'm so disappointed with the pet store. Anyways I have another mouse who was in the cage with Zippers and I'm hoping he didn't get sick from him :/ his breathing is fast and he won't play on the new wheel I bought him. He is drinking and eating but he will be active and then stop and close his eyes. Zippers did that the only difference is Zippers didn't eat or drink and he does... Will he die too from being exposed or?

ANSWER: Unfortunately, quarantining every animal that comes into the pet store is usually too hard for most big chains to handle, especially since they order from nationwide companies that themselves don't always practice the wisest quarantining methods.  It's made worse by the fact that going to the pet store, being handled constantly, and then going to a new home is a stressful experience for any mouse and can make them more susceptible to getting sick.

By the way - you mentioned they were all boys?  Boy mice are not social like females are - they prefer to live alone and can get pretty territorial when housed together.  Should you decide to get new meeces at a different pet shop, it'd be a good idea to house them separately as well.  Then you won't have to worry about new ones getting your current mouse sick, either.

Since this other mouse has been exposed to whatever killed the other two, it would be a good idea to start him on tetracycline (a over-the-counter general antibiotic) preemptively, just in case.  You can find tetracycline at your local pet shop - check the fish section.  Here are instructions on how to use it:  http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2010/2/Tetracycline-directions-sneezing-mou  You should give it for about two weeks, but if you notice his condition decline at all it would be well worth a vet visit to get a professional opinion and perhaps a better medicine.

Best of luck,
Tam

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

QUESTION: Ok so I brought both mice back, went to a new pet shop and got two girls. Oreo and the other hasn't been named. So there both females and VERY healthy they got along perfect running on their wheel and running around. Anyways I walked in my room tonight and saw oreo what I think was biting my other mouse head like the top and I don't know if they groom eachother or if oreo is over her. Also I noticed when there on the wheel oreo just kind walks all over the other one, also oreo is like SUPER hyper she jumps like popcorn and is CONSTANTLY making fast and sudden moves!!!  She's like a little energyzer bunny! I noticed my other mouse is breathing fast and rarely comes outta the house ): do mice bully eachother? I'm scared oreo is gonna hurt her so its 4am and I'm still sitting here making sure she will be ok ): I wanted healthy mice who liked eachother!!!! I got healthy but I think oreo is a bully :/

Answer
Mice always pick a social structure when first introduced (or brought home).  This usually only lasts for a day or two, then one decides to be the dominant mouse.  In most cages, this is the end of it - the dominant mouse will groom the other but for the most part they get along.

Sometimes, though, a mouse is just a bully, like you said.  If the fighting lasts for more than a couple of days, OR if you see any real biting (pulling on the skin with the teeth, bite marks when the fur is blown out of the way, or scabbed areas), they need to be separated.  You can try to reintroduce them, or you can just take the dominant mouse back and try again.  Remember to isolate before introducing a new mouse, though!

If you want to try separating them, make sure Oreo is the one you pull out.  When you reintroduce them watch them closely - scuffling is to be expected, but biting, tail rattling, or boxing (standing on the back legs and punching out at the other mouse) is never to be tolerated and will call for them being separated again.  Sorry this isn't being easy - is there perhaps a breeder in your area you can try instead?  Usually breeders will have a better feel for their mice and their temperaments (provided they are responsible!).

-Tam