My Mouses Eye

Question
I took home my class pet, a mouse. For a while she was fine. I have started to notice problems with her eye. First there was a red line around her eye. Next the eye got really swollen like shed been in fight but shes that only mouse in the cage! Now its sealed shut to the point where she can't open it. I'm wondering if there is anything I can do help her?

Answer
Hi,

Your best bet is to take the mouse to a vet. Find a vet who specializes either in "pocket pets" or "exotics."  If you have the choice of more than one vet, ask how many mice they see per month.

If you can't get the mouse to the vet, you can at least give her antibiotics. Again the vet has the best antibiotics, but you can use an antibiotic packaged for fish, called Tetracycline. You are going to get some inside the mouse right away, and put some in her water.

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 her only water source.  It's fine for any other mice to drink the water too.

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 her head.  This does not hurt her-- it's how her mama used to carry her-- but she will struggle valiantly.   Holding her gently but firmly,  quickly place a small amount into her now open mouth.  This is hard.  Be careful of her nose!  Wipe a bit more onto her whiskers and chin.  She will ingest that when she washes herself.  If you couldn't get any inside her at all, wipe some more on her head.  Put her back into her cage so she will wash herself.  

You can also try to wipe her eye with a Q tip in saline solution.  Very gently see if it is easy to open it.  Don't hurt her. Even if you can't get it open, which is likely, some saline on the outside might be able to seep in and help.

If this doesn't help, and if the eye begins to bug out, she might have a tumor. It sounds more like an infection to me, though I am not a vet. Mice often scratch their eyes on their bedding so it's not unusual for a single mouse to have a problem.

Best of luck and health to your little mouse.

squeaks,

Natasha