Baby mouse losing hair?

Question
Hi,
I have a curly longhaired baby mouse that today started to lose her hair. She only seems to be losing in on her left hip, and it's more a thinning of the hair than actual baldness. I don't think it's mites as her sister and mother are not showing any sings of discomfort (excessive scratching, hair loss ect.) so I'm quite stumped.
I just started breeding and am not very experienced at this time.
If it is mites is there anything I can do besides take her to the vet? Anything I could buy at the petstore?
Thanks in advance.
~Hayley

Answer
Dear Hayley,

The most common-- but not only-- cause for itching and hair loss is mites.  A vet can test a skin sample to find out if it is mites or something else.  Treatment for mites won't help if it is something else like mange or ringworm.  I'm not a vet but my guess is about 80% of the time it is mites.  Vets have the best treatments for mites, but you can treat for mites at home as well.

You will need to treat all the mice.  They don't show signs of mites but they have them, I promise!

To remove the mites, I use the small animal flea and tick spray from 8-in-1.  You should find it at a larger pet store; if not, I find it in two places on the internet:  

www.petcarerx.com  ($4.72)

www.petsmart.com ($5.29)

in fact here is the link for the product at petsmart:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752081&cp=2767038.2769320&f...

If you can find it in a pet store (call around) that would be best, because you need it right away.  If not, have them overnight mail it or as fast as they can.  Mice get sicker fast; and  mites can kill.  I lost a very precious mouse that way.  She was my inspiration to volunteer for this site. In memory of Ultra.

Actually, for a baby, and a mild case, I recommend the BIRD version of the same spray, which is half as potent.  However, if the lower potency one helps but doesn't solve the problem, you'd need to redo it with the rodent spray.
**

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.

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.

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 hopefully 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.

Best of luck!

squeaks,

Natasha