Mouse mites

Question
Hello Natasha,
My 18-month old female white mouse lost her friend to a disease (enlarged ovaries and anemia)a week ago.  The remaing mouse is very lonely and we are planning to get her another female mouse tomorrow.  In the meantime she has been scratching the back of her neck quite a lot.  What can I get her to get rid of the mites and where do I go to get it?

I appreciate and thank you for your reply.

Ann

Answer
Dear Ann,

You are quite likely right that the mouse has mites.  Because mice groom each other and remove mites, often the problem isn't noticeable until a mouse is left with no one to groom her.  

The best recommendation is always to go to a vet.  A vet could 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.  But it's probably mites, and if you can't get to a vet, you can treat for mites at home.

To remove the mites, I use the flea and tick spray from 8-in-1.   For a mild case I recommend the BIRD spray, which is gentler than the rodent version.

After reading the directions carefully, shake the can well.  Spray the mouse from a few inches away and rub the liquid in until all of her fur is soaked.  Do this over a bed or with someone holding onto her tail, because a wet mouse can jump.  Although I use my hands, 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 on and use a small sponge, which you very liberally cover with the liquid spray, and rub it all over the mouse's fur.

Make sure she is warm and absolutely dry before you return her to the cage.  Her 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 spray is pretty strong stuff, and some mice suffer some skin pain within a few hours, which can last perhaps 12 hours.  If Mousie squeaks when touched or even when alone in the nest, all you can do is give her your condolences.  She will feel better soon.  This only happens to some mice.  The bird spray is far less likely to cause this.  It's definitely no reason not to treat the mouse, though.

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.

If it helps but does not completely cure the problem, you will have to use the stronger, rodent version of the spray.  Use the same procedure.  

I think this will do it.  if it doesn't, she needs to go to a vet.

Don't introduce the new mouse until the problem has been solved.

Best of luck!

squeaks,

Natasha