Two year old mouse losing fur

Question
I've had my mouse about two years and she is approximately two years old. She has begun to lose fur on her shoulders and upper back. There appears to be dry skin where there is no fur and she is scratching an awful lot. I just lost one of my three mice and I want to know if there is anything I can do to prolong her life as long as possible.

Answer
Mice are prone to fungal and bacterial infections of the skin, as well as mites and lice. Do you have an exotics or pocket pet vet in your area? At that age her fur will start to become thin, so it may be a sign of old age as well. What type of diet does she have? You can try increasing the amount of sunflower seeds she consumes, as they are high in fat and can help with dry skin. If she seems really itchy though she's most likely got a parasite. Fortunately they are very easily treating with a dose of topical Ivermectin. :) As far as prolonging her life, just make sure she has fresh food and water daily, lots of love and a clean cage. It's the simple things that count most.