Where to get parasite spray

Question
QUESTION: hey i have 7 mice, 4 girls 3 boys, the boys seem to be fine but the girls well im not sure one mouse bubbles is black the rest are white but she has like dust on her coat and i pulled a hair out with some on and tried cracking to see if it was eggs and it didn't crack, so im just wondering what that is and i may be paranoid but i seem to think they are scratching more..normal mouse behavior right to scratch, i cannot really check the white mice for this dust stuff as its quite hard to spot due to the whiteness but on bubbles its very visible and quite a lot of it

ANSWER: Dear Robyne,

A vet could take a look and tell you for sure, but your description definitely sounds like an insect parasite.  I recommend using 8-in-1's flea and tick spray for rodents.  You must treat all the mice, and the cage, bedding, and toys, all at once; then do it again in ten days.  If the other mice aren't treated they will give Bubbles mites again and she won't get well.

best of luck,

squeaks

Natasha

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

QUESTION: hey, i cant really afford the vets to expensive even for mice lol, how do they get these parasites and i thought maybe it could of been like urine on them and the sawdust has created dust and stuck to bubbles? but im not sure, if its a parasite that could be dangerous i dont know if i can afford this stuff

Answer
Dear Robyne,

You can try using a different bedding (even such as newspaper) for a day to see if Bubbles looks any better.  if not, i recommend you treat for parasites.  Eight in One makes an anti-parasitic spray for small animals:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752081

Which costs $5.49.  Often I recommend starting with the less potent bird spray:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752076

because it is easier on the skin-- some mice are very sensitive to it-- but then you would have to be prepared to buy and use the rodent spray if the bird spray doesn't solve the problem.

This post explains a little more about parasites and how to treat for them-- though your mice probably don't have the same type of parasites since yours are visible, the treatment is the same.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2009/4/only-mouse-mites.htm

Best of luck,

squeaks

Natasha