Administering antibiotic Tetracycline

Question
QUESTION: I have two fancy mice. I received one of them free (her name is Penelope) because she had a broken leg, and wasn't allowed to be sold. After I got them I noticed Penelope was sneezing and making funny noises when she sniffed. I took her to the vet and they said she sounds congested so they gave her an antibiotic in shot form. I didn't want to give her the shot but I knew she wouldn't take it any other way (she's very picky and will only eat on her own).
I noticed some improvement the day after but it only took a few days for it to come back again. She sneezes almost constantly now. I'm afraid to take her back to the vet because I do not want to give her another shot.. and I think the same antibiotic won't do much and it may even make her immune to it. What should I do?


ANSWER: Dear Sarah,

Let me thank you for taking in a disabled mouse!  Gosh, how could a mouse get a broken leg?  Mice survive pretty high falls... Poor little thing.  Musta got squished.

First of all, of course a vet knows much better than I do what the right thing is for an individual mouse that was examined in person.  I don't  have a medical license.  I can just give advice from my own experience.

If the antibiotic started to work but then stopped, it may be that a stronger dose is needed.  Penelope will not become immune to the antibiotic.  In fact, immunity is more likely if she does not get well and doesn't have a second dose because the surviving germs will have lived through a course of the medicine.  Thus a second dose might be just what she needs.  I suggest you tell your vet what happened and see if they think she needs a stronger or second dose.  When you or I take medications we take them more than once over a period of time as well.

It is also possible that this antibiotic isn't exactly the right one for this illness.  In that case the vet might be able to give you something else.  If it isn't available in a shot you might have to administer it to Penelope.  Now, no mouse wants to take her medicine.  Generally the mouse has to be briefly held by the scruff of her neck (doesn't hurt) and the medicine put into her mouth.  The vet can probably prescribe something which can be given to her in this fashion.  Let me stress one more time that the vet knows best, before I tell you what I do.

The medication that I use isn't as new as something a vet can prescribe, but it's a home remedy.  The advantage is you only have to force-feed her once.  I use the antibiotic Tetracycline, which you can buy in a pet store in the fish section.  It comes in capsules of powder.

Mix one capsule powder with about a drop of water to form a light paste.  Pick Penelope up by the scruff of her neck. This is the loose fur behind her head, and it's how her mom used to carry her, so it doesn't hurt at all.  However, she won't be thrilled and she will struggle.  Do your best with your fingers or a small syringe to get a little bit of the paste into her mouth, and wipe some more around her whiskers (not her nose).  Then put a half capsule in a small bottle or a full capsule in a large bottle of water and change that every other day for a week.  It's fine for the other mouse to drink it too, especially since she has already been exposed to the illness.

I wish little Penelope the best of luck and health and a long, long life!

squeaks,

Natasha




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

QUESTION: I'm thinking about trying the tetracycline since I'm sadly struggling with money at the moment..  but after I give it to Penelope should I separate the mice for a while or keep them together?

ANSWER: Dear Sarah,

I completely understand limited vet budgets.  This is why I have home remedies.  I learn from my breeder--  breeders, of course, can't take each sick mouse to the vet!

Certainly all of the mice should remain in the cage and drink the medicated water.  In fact, sometimes I dose them all just to be sure.   This is up to you.  It's not going to hurt them, but it's a little awkward!  Penelope is going to give you a bit of a struggle, and you will have to be brave and realize you are not going to hurt her.  If she doesn't squeak, it doesn't hurt.

Best of luck to all

squeaks

Natasha

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

QUESTION: Sorry for asking so many questions I really appreciate you taking your time to help me. I bought the Tetracycline. It is called T.C. Tetracycline Hydrochloride. Is this correct? Also the powder comes in packet form. 500 mg per packet. Is that the same amount as the capsules you use? Or should I use less?

Thank you so much!

Answer
Dear Sarah,

I apologize for my somewhat belated answer.  You can use the powder the same way.  You aren't stuffing a lot into the mouse so the dose won't be any different.  if you make it a thick liquid, you can use an eyedropper.  I usually just put it in the mouth with my finger.  The mouse is supposed to open her mouth when you get her correctly by the scruff of her neck, but prepare for a struggle!!!

squeaks,

Natasha