My mouse sneeze and makes chirping noise

Question
QUESTION: Hello Natasha and thank you for your help in advance.
I have a female mouse and she is about 9 month old. She sneeze a lot when she wakes up, and she also makes tons of chirping or clicking kind of noise when I am playing with her. She is very friendly and active. I purchased her at the local petshop when she was about 6 weeks old and since then I have noticed that she sneeze a lot when she wakes up. There are days she doesn't, but more often she does. I started to notice this chirping only when she is out her cage and playing with me. sounds almost like she is excited and talking...? She eats well, poop looks healthy, and very active, in other words she does not look ill. I did some research on the web and found out that sneezing could be caused by allergy, but I was unable to find anything about the chirping. Do you have any idea what this all means? Do I need to take her to doctor? My husband and I are so attached to her as she is just fun little friendly thing and we really don't want her to be sick....... Could you help me????

ANSWER: Dear Kiwi,

Chirping and sneezing suggest a respiratory infection. If you want to test for allergies first, give her a different bedding and give her dried oatmeal and fresh vegetables for two-three days to see if she gets better. If that doesn't effect an obvious change, she needs to go to the vet and get antibiotics. Call around to find a vet who has experience with  mice-- often they specialize in "pocket pets" or "exotics."  If you are going to test for allergies, make the appointment now so you get in when you need to; you can always cancel.

let me know what happens and if you have any further questions.

squeaks,

Natasha





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

QUESTION: Hi Natasha,

Thank you for your quick response!
I failed to explain better about the condition of my mice though. She hardly sneeze or chirp while she is in the cage and the chirping (sqeaking?) and sneezing does not last long either. for example, when she wakes up and sees me by her cage, she will stand up on the back legs and begged to be let out. Once she is out of her cage and running all over me, that is the time she chirp really lound. It sounds like a little conversation, very cute but weird. She sneeze in first time she is out of her cage, and she stops as she plays around in a few minutes. So, I was wondering maybe she is allergic to something on me...like my shampoo smell, etc? I heard about mice allergic to bedding, but since she hardly sneeze in her cage, maybe I am her allergen?? Do you have any opinion?
Thank you again for your help.

Answer
Dear Kiwi,

It makes sense to me that she mostly makes the chirping sound out of the cage since she is more excited with you and breathes more heavily. That's what I still think she has a respiratory infection. But you can test the idea of her being allergic to something on you by using a different shampoo and deodorant and not wearing perfume. Is her behavior the same when you wake up, before you shower and put on deodorant, as after? If so, it doesn't seem like an allergy.

Note even if she is treated with antibiotics, she may always chirp. That's Ok. It's very common after a mouse has survived an infection.  

You should bring her to the vet.

If you really can't get her to a vet, the next best thing is to try to treat her at home with an over the counter antibiotic, Tetracycline.  This is NOT as good as going to the vet. Here are instructions:

You will find Tetracycline in the FISH section of your pet store.

If you have the capsules, empty one capsule into a large water bottle or one half into a small one.  Shake extremely well.  If you have the powder,  1/4 flat teaspoon measure is the same as 1 capsule.  If you have the tablets, completely crush them into fine powder with the back of a spoon and use as powder.   This should be the only water source.   Cover the water bottle with tin foil because Tetracycline reacts with light.

Next, take another capsule worth and mix it with one drop of water.  This will make a paste about the consistency of mustard.    You have plenty to play with, so if the mixture is too watery, try again.  Now pick up the mouse by the scruff of the neck.  This is the skin just behind its head.  This does not hurt it-- it's how its mama used to carry it-- but it will struggle valiantly.   Holding it gently but firmly,  quickly place a small amount into its now open mouth.  This is hard.  Be careful of its nose!  Wipe a bit more onto its whiskers and chin.  It will ingest that when it washes itself.  If you couldn't get any inside it at all, wipe some more on its head.  Put it back into the cage so it will wash itself.

I hope your mouse is better soon.

squeak,

Natasha