Mice keep dying

Question
I had 12 white feeder mice from 2 different pet stores.  I did a lot of research on breeding them but im losing one a day.  They have water bottles, good food, paper shreds as bedding- some people say paper is not good but some say it is so i sticked with it.

Answer
Dear Aaron,

If you are sure there is nothing poisonous in the cage-- for instance a strong cleaner, photo paper, something edible other than store-bought mouse food (try a different bag), something to chew besides plastic or wood or cardboard, paint on an item, as examples-- then they are ill.

I assume you do not want to go to a vet with feeder mice.

First treat them all for a bacterial infection. Follow the instructions I delineated here:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2009/4/mouse-injured-cat-antibiotic.htm

(I forgot to mention that the water should be medicated for at least a week.)

The problem might also be a parasite, a fungus, or something else that antibiotics won't cure.

Do not put any new mice in the cage until it has been sanitized.  New mice must go in a completely cleaned, bleached cage with none of the materials from the old cage.  As I said, get new food. Use water that you would drink in a completely clean, bleached bottle. This will keep the new mice from contracting the illness.

This should keep this from happening again.

best of luck,

squeaks,

Natasha