Mice Mites

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I recently lost a mouse (fancy mouse) do to mites I think (it had a cut under its ear from scratching) I think the other mouse has mites now too. I can't afford the vet but I read online things about an oral med and revolution. My dad has revolution that he used for his puppy but I don't know how much to use and I don't know how fast he could get it to me and I feel terrible because the poor mouse keeps scratching. I found on amazon Farnam Companies Horse Health Ivermectin 3005596 do you think this would be good for her? If so how much would I give her, I read somewhere i rat would get an amount like a piece of rice. So maybe a mouse would get half that? I am also not sure for how long or anything. Also someone told me you could buy softwood no dust bedding as long as you freeze it first, is this true? Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

ANSWER: Hi,

I'm not a vet, so I don't know about dosing mice with medication; and I don't want to try to guess because I might kill your mouse.  I use the spray that you get over the counter, though unfortunately it's more work and not fun for the mouse.  I would only trust a vet to dose the mouse with something else.

In the following post I described how to find the spray I use, 8-in-1, on the Internet (if you can't find it in a store), and how to use it.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2009/7/mites-killed-mouse-mite.htm

Once the mouse is cured of the mites problem, I suggest getting her at least one girlfriend to keep her company.  Mice are sad living alone and get depressed when they lose a friend.  

The way mites work is mice always have some mites.  However, it isn't a problem until the mouse's immune system is compromised in some way--  she gets sick, older, stressed, or depressed-- or she lives alone, since a companion washes her and helps get rid of the mites.  This would be why your second mouse may not have suffered from mites before she lost her friend.  The other way to get mites is to come in contact with an infestation, such as in the litter.  To avoid this you can freeze the litter for 24 hours.  If it's a large amount, remember that it will take a while for the center to freeze and I'd do it for 48 hours to make sure.  

Best of luck to your little mouse.

squeaks,

Natasha



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

QUESTION: Hello thanks for your help,

I just sprayed her and she keeps jumping and stuff almost like shes having ticks or something? I put a little bedding in the tank i sprayed her with to see if it would calm her but she's still jumping and stuff. Hopefully she drys soon so I can put her in her real home. Do you think this reaction is okay? Also I tried to mostly avoid her head but what if mites were on her head because she scratches there.  Thanks again for your help.

ANSWER: Hi,

Some mice are sensitive to the chemical in the spray, and it hurts their skin.  To avoid this I often suggest the bird version of the spray because it's half as powerful.  With such a bad infestation it was probably good to use the rodent spray at first, but you  might want to get the bird version for her second treatment in ten days.  Her skin should become less sensitive within 12-18 hours in my experience, but for now it  hurts.  Poor little thing!

It's ok to avoid her head.  The mites should come in contact with the poison anyway.  It's very important not to get the spray in her eyes or around her nose and mouth.  As long as you rubbed it in well behind her ears, and maybe got a dab on top of her head, it should be fine.

Best of luck.

squeaks,

Natasha

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

QUESTION: Hi,
I did the spraying 2 times and still no improvement I am not sure why. I did everything like freeze the bedding before use, buy all new wheels and toys and she still has mites. I am not sure why nothing is working. Thanks again

Answer
Hi,

Unfortunately, mites are not the only thing which makes a mouse itch, scratch, scab, or lose fur.  Because its so often mites, it makes sense to try to treat at home first.  However, the vet can look at a skin sample under the microscope to determine what the cause actually is.  

Best of luck,

Natasha