Unusually excited mouse

Question
QUESTION: Hey Jedediah,
I have a mouse named Skyller, a female mouse probably half a dozen weeks old. I got her from a local pet store about a week ago. I've had mice before but I'm definitely not a professional on the subject.
I have been regularly playing with Skyller (holding her, feeding her, etc) but today I noticed she was overly excited and seemed eager to escape her cage. For example, she would stretch from the highest point on her cage (on top of a plastic toy) and try to reach up to the upper barred gate. Skyller would paw on the walls of the cage, run around very speedily, sprint over and over again on her wheel, run around her cage excitedly, and similar behaviour.
She has no cagemates (room mates) so maybe she's lonely(?)
But besides that, I cannot identify the problem.

A second concern is that she squeaks quite regularly. She "chirps" many times when we are around her, although she doesn't seem to make those noises when we are sleeping in the same room in the evening. I've looked up information on this topic and I've heard that this is all of the following:
1. perfectly normal
2. linked to a respiratory problem
or
3. agitated behaviour

I'm not sure at all which of the above is factual...

Please reply soon because I really love Skllyer!
Maybe it's normal, but I'm not sure.

(some useful info: Skyller is a very active mouse, she eats a normal rodent mix from a pet store and drinks her water regularly, Skyller is played with at least once a day[for around 15 min.] and she is a regular groomer)

Thank you!!
Mary

ANSWER: Dear Mary,
thank you for your question.
The noises are almost certainly signs of a respiratorx infection. Mice shouldn't make any noise audible to humans at all. They will squeak when they are fighting, very scared/angry or when they are in pain, but that's it. You can find good rodent vets here:
http://www.rmca.org/Vets/
http://www.allaboutmice.co.uk/product-reviews-vets/

Young mice behave the way you described very often, they are jumpy and won't sit still for a minute. That's normal and she will calm down as she grows older. If she is kept in a tank, it could be a sign that the ventilation is not good enough, though.
I really would recommend getting her at least one, but better more friends. Fancy mice are very social and should not be kept alone. You can find good info on how to introduce them as well as general information here:
http://www.allaboutmice.co.uk/info
and here
http://www.das-maeuseasyl.de/doku.php/en/species/fancy_mouse

Try looking for shelters/private rescues that have mice, many are looking for good homes. If you can't find any, then a good breeder is the next best source for healthy mice - breeders are also experienced in sexing their mice, most pet shop employees are not and really don't care, so it's often likely that you're sold either pregnant females or both males and female together.

I hope I was of some help to you
Jennifer

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

QUESTION: Thank you for clearing up my previous worries!

I have another concern, pardon me, I'm pretty anxious about Skyller because I want to ensure that she is comfortable and safe.(even if she is a tiny little rodent)

What is the best time of the day to play with Skyller? Sometimes, at night, when she's super hyper, I'm afraid to pick her up, in fear of getting bitten. Other times, Skyller will be more calm, it's just she won't really ever crawl into my hand. I know you can pick up mice if you firmly grab the base of their tails and pull them into your palm. But is there another way? I'm just really afraid I'll hurt her.

And also, how do you actually interact with mice? Do you just pet/hold/feed them? (is that enough to keep them happy?)

Thanks again!
Mary

Answer
Mice are more for watching. Some will never get tame and they should always have the choice to avoid you if they want to. Put your hand in the cage, offer her some treats on your palm and wait. I've had mice that came to me on their own and I've had others who I almost never saw because they were so shy. You can't really change that.

Picking the mouse up by the base of the tail should only be done in an emergency since it may hurt them and it's certainly stressful for them. I prefer gently putting both hands over the mouse and then bringing my fingers together under it. If I do need to catch a very shy mouse, I try to use a box or toilet paper roll, that's less stressful for them than being handled.

Mice are perfectly happy with staying in their cage (if it's big and interesting enough) without any contact to their owners. They perfer to interact with each other instead and that's always very interesting to watch. Introducing her to some friends may calm Skyller down, too.

I hope I was of some help to you
Jennifer