mouse with stubborn eye infection

Question
I have written for advice on this before (about 2 wks ago).  I have a female orange mouse approx 18 wks old. She was making a clicking sound when I got her and discovered her to be allergic to aspen bedding.  Switched to Eco bedding and all was fine for a few days.  Developed red rings around her eyes with some swelling.  Tried salt and water solution as advised until I got her to the vets.  She was on amoxycillin and eye ointment for 10 days with no relief. Vets says probably allergies, but can offer no further help.  She eats and pees and poops normally.  She also plays with her cage mate (who has no symptoms at all).  Other than sleeping a lot more than her cage mate, she seems fine. I'm just concerned that this redness and swelling is not going away and she will end up blind or dead.  I have now removed all bedding and put plain paper towels down and have limited her food & snacks to what she was eating when I first got her and her eyes were fine.  Do you have any other suggestions?  I am going crazy trying to help her.  I also have another cage with 2 mice (much larger in size) and they are fine.  Thank you for any suggestions that you have to offer.

Answer
Dear Debbie,

Because allergies often develop after prolonged contact with an allergen, your mouse might be allergic to something in her food that she had no problem eating before.  Put her on a strict diet of boring mouse/rat pellets or chunks from the pet store, and no treats.  Sigh!

Another thing to think about is whether there is anything in the air near her cage.  Do you use any air fresheners or is she near a dryer where fabric softener fumes could come her way?

Lastly, the question is whether the vet you went to was just a dog and cat vet, who might not know about all the intricacies of mice, or whether s/he was a specialist in small pets or exotics.  Here is a link to an Internet mouse vet who may be able to help you further:

http://exoticpets.about.com/mbiopage.htm

I hope something helps. Best of luck to her.

squeaks,

Natasha