my mouse is itching and skin is red

Question
hello, our concerns are that our mouse has been itching for about 2 wks now more so only on one side of her face and ear more then the other. her one eye has actually become somewhat swollen shut. she can open it but lately it seems like she has it more shut then open. her skin appears to look red. this is my sons pet who is 15 who can not afford high vet bills. we recently changed her bedding and food from what she was originally on, can this be part of reason why this can be happening? her cage is kept cleaned but not on daily basis.i just hate to see her suffer like she is uncomfortable... any advice for our noodle please?

Answer
Dear Renee,

Itching is usually from either mites or allergies. The new food or bedding may well be the problem. If you can't put her back on the old stuff right away, at least put her on paper towels for a day or two until you can. Instead of the food, give her crackers and vegetables for a couple of days.

She also might have mites. The following post explains about both mites and allergies. The mites can be from the new bedding as well. If the bedding change doesn't help after two days then you need to treat for mites.  

The eye might have become infected due to an injury from scratching. If you can make the scratching go away but they eye is still swollen, it will need to be treated separately. Keep me up to date and if that is the case I will help you out with that as well. Let me know what happens in any case.

best of luck to little Noodle.

squeaks,

Natasha