Just some general questions about my mice

Question

Pumpkin!   QUESTION: Hi Natasha :)
Just got some general questions about my female mice.
Well they're called Pumpkin & Cookie.
I did ask you about my last mouse called pixxi, i thought she was pregnant... unfortinatley she died of respiratory infection :(
well i recently found out cookie had respiratory infection so i had her put on antibiotics.
Is there any side effects of antibiotics? as a couple of days ago i noticed cookie had become slower and seemed to want to be in my hand and with me more...
its REALLY not like her! She's got faster now but i've noticed she just wants to be with me and nobody else. She tries to get away from other peoples hands and always runs up my arm to get away from them. When i got her she always tried to run away from my hand and didn't wanna be with me! Got any ideas why this might be?
Also i keep hearing pumpkin squeek loud in the night... i figured it might be because cookie seems to climb all over pumpkin and grooms her. She doesn't usually mind but i dont know whether she gets irritated?

Thanks :)
Charlotte
x

ANSWER: Dear Charlotte,

I'm sorry about little Pixxi.

Mice can have fairly radical changes in personality due to circumstances. It's not good that she was slower, and I know antibiotics make me feel pretty sick myself sometimes, but now that she's faster again that's really good.  If she just wants to be with you she has come to trust you for whatever reason. Did you quarantine her when she was sick? That can make a mouse turn to human company. As long as she seems healthy, you can just figure she feels differently about you and the world and that's her new personality.  

You're right that mice can squeak from being groomed. I think of how my sister used to complain when my mother was braiding her hair. If she does not squeak when she is out of the nest, that's very likely what is happening. Sometimes it can be what is called 'power grooming' and can actually be a show of who's boss!

It sounds like you are a great mouse mom.  I loved the photo. It's funny, a lot of pet mice are named Pumpkin or Punkin. I wonder why?  Maybe I'll name my next mouse Pumpkin; I have a few on order now!

I wish you and your mice lots of fun!

Squeaks n giggles,

Natasha

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

QUESTION: Thanks! :D
cookie and pumpkin are loads better now
but recently i put a few nuts in their bowl (i didnt put them in cause i heard they can be allergic)
they LOVED them but cookie seems to be allergic :(
well i think she is
shes got a slight cackle...
is that a sign of allergies to nuts, or sunflower seeds?
thanks again :)
charlotte
x

Answer
Dear Charlotte,

A mouse which has survived a respiratory infection often ends up with a chatter.  Mice talk all the time too high for us to hear, and so if they have been sick and their "voice" has been lowered, we can hear them.  As long as I know the mouse is well, I kind of like it because I can tell when she is talking to me.

Best to Cookie and Pumpkin,

Squeaks n giggles,

Natasha