Tetracycline directions for sneezing mouse

Question
Dear Natasha,

My pet mouse has been squeaking on and off for about a week now. I read online once that mice don't make noise if they are healthy and happy. Could it be that my mouse has an illness? When she squeaks it almost sounds like shes having a slight cough. She will squeak one day nonstop, then be silent for three days or so and then it will continue again. If she is sick, would you suggest getting that tetracycline that has been talked about in previous questions?


Thanks!
Rachel

Answer
Dear Rachel,

It sounds very much as though your mouse is sick.  Sick mice can go downhill very fast, so it is urgent to get her care as fast as possible.  If you can possibly get her to a vet, that is much better than caring for her at home, especially at this late stage.  The  vet has much better medication that you can't get over the counter.  

Here are my directions for Tetracycline, because there is a recent change:

Pick up a bottle of Tetracycline from the FISH section.

You are going to put some in her water bottle and try to get an initial dose inside her.  

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. COVER THE WATER BOTTLE WITH TIN FOIL because the medication is sensitive to light.  I just learned this from a vet. See why a vet is better ? :)  Change every few days for ten days.

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 and sides.  Put her back into her cage so she will wash herself.  Keep any other mouse from washing her, if necessary removing the other mice for an hour.  

Again, if you can get her to a vet at all, please do.

Best wishes for your little gal.

squeaks,

Natasha