Ill mouse - hunched back and withered

Question
QUESTION: We have a female mouse. Recently she has become very thin and bedraggled though we are feeding enough of the right foods. She has always had a slightly hunched back but it has become much more extreme. She recently has not been going in her hideaway all day and is always awake, most of the time she is active and climbes about the cage a lot, but she suddenly will just sit in strange positions, frozen, not moving at all, her eyes just staring for long periods of time, what should we do? She is in a cage with two other mice and is the latest addition to our clan. Then after a few weeks of her being there 1 mouse got thin and died. We are going to separate them as we fear she may be ill and passing it on. Please help!
ASAP for i fear she may nopt have long to live otherwise. We are currently based in Sri lanka and there are no vets who are experienced in small animals! what shall we do!
Katie

ANSWER: Hi Katie,

This happens almost commonly in new mice, although I am unsure what causes it.  It's been speculated that it could be a result of a disease caught by sharing air with infected wild mice, or perhaps something they pick up at the pet shops.  Whatever it is, it's rarely good!  Isolation is VERY important, as she can give it to the other mice.  When bringing new mice in for the future, isolation for a full three weeks is a good way to make sure they didn't come with anything dangerous for your other mice.

Now, about what you can do for the sick girl - it's important to focus on keeping her warm.  The posture and lack of body substance means it is very easy for her to go into hypothermia.  She should have lots of extra bedding and be in a room that is at least 70 degrees or more (but not above 85 or 90, as this can cause overheating).  She needs fresh water, preferably from a water bottle.  If she won't drink, try putting her on your hand and dripping a little water into the cracks between your fingers.  A mouse that is still strong enough will use this opportunity to lick it off your hand, and hydration is very important.  Next, try some different foods, whatever it takes so she can have the nutrition to fight off the illness.  Unfortunately, this will only work if she will eat and drink - I've never had a mouse that stopped eating survive, so if this is the case please just focus on making her comfortable.  :(

As far as foods to try, you can try banana, apple (with the seeds removed), apple sauce or baby food, meal worms, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or even cat food.  I've used wet cat food before with a little success in the health of the mouse, but I'm not honestly sure if it is recommended or not.  If you do, select a type with no BHA/BHT preservatives in the ingredient listing.  Scrambled eggs without the milk are also very nutritious, and cheerios might convince a hungry mouse to eat.  Your last resort should be syringe feeding, by mashing up a food in water or kitten milk replacement and putting the syringe to her mouth.  Use this method if she won't eat or clean herself, keep it out of her nose, and only do so if she makes an effort to swallow it once it's been put in her mouth.

It may be too late for antibiotics, but if you have the time, try finding tetracycline or baytril in your local pet stores or general stores.  Tetracycline can be found in the fish sections.  Here is an excellent guide by another expert on how to give tetracycline to your mouse:  http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2009/4/mouse-injured-cat-antibiotic.htm  Baytril can be given via a drop on a treat, like a cracker or biscuit, or 2 drops per 50 mL of water in the water bottle.  Tetracycline, however, is light sensitive so if you can find it and decide to give it to her, covering the water bottle or replacing the solution every 24 hours is the best way to keep it fresh.

I don't know if it's plausible for you or not, but you could always try calling a vet in the event that they might have more information than I do.  If you'd like the phone numbers of my local vets, even though it would be long distance, you can email me at limegreenmice@hotmail.com.  I don't know how much help they could be over the phone, but they might know something I don't.

Best of luck!!
-Tam

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

QUESTION: I'm sorry to say the mouse in question died just a few minutes after i had written to you, however your time will be well spent as there are still two existing mice. We may just be paranoid, but we have separated one of the mice, she has shown very very mild signs of the same type as the other. We will try to follow all the advice you gave it is really fantastic. It might be helpful to have those numbers, it is very thoughtful of you for everything. How long do you think we might see results if we try tetracycline and everything else? I will get back to tell you if anything changes!
Once again thank you, you are very kind!
-Katie

Answer
Hi Katie,

I am sorry to hear she passed away, but I was afraid of it when I wrote you.  She didn't sound too good.  :(  The tetracycline or baytril should be continued for about 2-3 weeks, or about a week after all symptoms have disappeared.  Since I'm not sure what causes it, I can't be positive how effective they will be, but if they help they will definitely help more in the early stages.

I can't give you phone numbers here on AllExperts, but I can point you towards them privately at my email address if you'd like to write me.  :)  Alternatively, you could do a local search for vets that are just out of your range, or vets further away, and call and ask for their advice.

Thank you!  :)
-Tam