17 month old mouse has swelling under her throat

Question
17 month old mouse has swelling under her throat, is this
serious it is just back of her jaw on the thyroid area.  

Answer
Dear Malcolm,

Yes it is serious. Even if it is not doing internal damage, it will interfere with her eating and breathing. The hope is that it is an abscess or other bacterial problem, and not a tumor.

You should bring her to the vet asap.

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 truly hope your mouse is better soon.

squeaks,

Natasha