Question
My mouse "Light"
I have a pet mouse, Light. He is approximately five/six months old. I originally bought him to keep another adopted male company, but quickly realized that wasn't good. So I put them in separate cages. Shortly after placing Light in his aquarium, he started scratching and had two scabs right over his eyes. You could also tell his skin is irritated... so my first thought was maybe he just needed an extra clean cage. So we started keeping it really clean to no avail. Then read on the internet about food allergies and switched from the seedy junk (gerbil/hamster# to rat/mice pellets hoping for some change, but he has now scratched a hole in his ear, and it's looking terrible. So today I decided I would change his bedding, thinking what I was using #kiln dried horse bedding# might have cedar in it or something, so I bought some Critter Care which appears to be cardboard. I have a mite cartridge in the cage, but our local WalMart doesn't carry the bird or rodent mite spray and will have to pick some up next time I go near a pet store #not in town). Can you tell me what you think this might be? Is there something else I can be doing? He's so miserable! And there are no exotic or pocket pet vets around here either... Thanks in advance!
AnswerDear Amy,
It's really too bad that you can't get to a mouse vet, but it's a common problem. I've never encountered a mite cartridge, but I would worry about the mice breathing in poison. It's important to get the mite spray as quickly as possible. Here are two links to get the spray online. It's worth it to get it sent overnight or two-day delivery:
Petsmart:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752081&cp=2767038.2769320&f...
PetCareRX:
http://www.petcarerx.com/pcrx/ProductPages/Product.aspx?pid=10149&k=8%20in1%20Sm...
There is also a version for birds, which is half the strength. it's up to you if you want to try that one first, but if it helps but doesn't cure the problem, you will have to get the rodent spray and retreat the mice.
After reading the directions carefully, shake the can well. Hold the mouse over a bed in case it panics when it is wet. Spray it thoroughly, making sure it is all wet (it will hate this). Although I would use my hand, the label does say not to let it touch your skin(!). If you don't want to get it on your hands then put rubber gloves. The mouse's fur should be soaked such that all of its skin is wet. Avoid the scabs but get bald areas. If necessary, spray into a dish and apply to the mouse with a sponge or your hand, to make sure you don't spray raw areas.
Make sure the mouse is warm and absolutely dry before you return it to the cage. The cage must be completely cleaned and rinsed and all bedding and toys must be new, with the exception of plastic items which you wash carefully or boil, or glass. I don't recommend saving any wooden items.
You need to treat any other mice who have been in contact with your mouse as well.
The regular spray is pretty strong stuff, and some mice suffer some skin pain within a few hours, which can last perhaps 12 hours. If the mouse squeaks when touched or even when alone in the nest, all you can do is give it your condolences. It will feel better soon. This only happens to some mice. This can likely be avoided by using the half-potency BIRD version of the spray.
If, after 2-3 days, this has helped, then repeat the entire procedure 7-10 days later. This will kill off the mites which were protected inside eggs when you first sprayed.
At the same time you can try to avoid allergies. You have already changed the bedding. The food block isn't the best thing because it has many ingredients. Use the mouse mix but remove peanuts, sunflower seeds, and corn. These are the most common allergens. Supplement with raw vegetables. Add the three suspect ingredients one at a time two days apart and watch for reactions. Also be sure there are no allergens in the air: hair spray, room deodorizer, furniture polish.
I hope this works. Best of luck.
Squeaks,
Natasha
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