weight loss and labored breathing

Question
Hi, Natasha. I have written you several times before with questions, and you've always been so helpful - many thanks. Today I have another inquiry.

I have four mice, one is a little over a year old, and the other three are about seven months old. I was traveling recently, and left my mice in the care of a good friend who also has pet mice of her own. When I came back, after about three weeks, I noticed that one of the younger ones, Phoebe, was dramatically thinner. She looks practically emaciated, and appears severely frail. She is not only slow-moving, but she has a bigger hunch than the others do when she sits and moves. And speaking of moving, she hardly does. Once the most active mouse, Phoebe barely comes out of her little house. I've hardly seen her get on the wheel - her favorite place. Her belly is non-existent, and overall she looks pretty miserable.

My friend called me while I was away to tell me that Phoebe was sneezing and coughing, so I suggested tetracycline, which she readily applied. She no longer appears to be sneezy, but her weight and disposition concern me greatly.

Should I separate her from the other three healthy mice? I read in another post that some young mice actually waste away - and suffer from a sort of anorexia. Do you think that it is possible that this is happening to Phoebe? I gave her a little peanut butter on a Cheerio tonight, and I'm going to look into getting some dry cat food tomorrow to up her protein intake (will any dry cat food do?). Right now all four mice are eating a fortified block diet, and I handfeed them a seed mix and some vegetables every few days. Should I put Phoebe on a more seedy diet? Is there anything I can do otherwise to help her regain some weight and return to health?

Thanks so much for your help.

Regards,
Rachael

Answer
Dear Rachel,

Although mice do sometimes have illnesses or genetic defects that cause them to waste away, if she was sneezing and coughing, she is probably sick.  Even though she has stopped sneezing, she is still sick.  When you are sick sometimes it goes from your nose for two days to your throat to your ears... or whatever.  

I'm not a vet, and this is no longer a simple sneeze.  Phoebe needs to see a professional who can give her a more effective antibiotic and possibly something to strengthen her immune system such as a vitamin shot.  She could easily die from this.

To get more calories into a mouse, peanut butter is good, also cheese, butter, nuts, and fatty seeds such as sunflower seeds.  If she will simply lick butter off your fingers that's great.  You also need to make absolutely sure she can't get cold.  A lightbulb  near the nest is a good way to keep it warm.  Just make sure there is a part of the cage that you are not heating, so they can get out of the heat if it becomes too hot.

As for separating the mice, it's a really tough call.  It's possible that the other mice will get sick from her.  On the other hand, if she is alone she will be very unhappy and will have a smaller chance of survival.  I wish I had a good solution for you.

I wish Phoebe the best of luck.  

squeaks,

Natasha