eye itch, fur loss, tumor?

Question
Hi Natasha, I'm Vannah and I most certianley LOVE pets! I have 2 fancy mice, and 8 different other pets. I got the fancy mice maybe about a year ago? but anyways, they were doing so perfect, until we saw that one of my mouse starting having twicheyniss in her one eye. My mom said, we will see what happenes. So we always check on her and we seen her other eye started to get irrated, she started loosing skin, she been itching her eye 24/7! My mom says that we shouldnt take her to the vet, cause all they will do Is say nothing they can do. Plus, it's a waste of money. Now just about 3 days ago my other mouse gets this big bubble inside her right cheek. I have a picture, If somehow I can send it to you. But really I dont know what it is. I think maybe a tumer. I feel really bad, can you help!

Answer
Dear Vannah,

Actually a vet would be able to help.  The vet would test the skin of the first mouse to see if the problem is mites, ringworm, mange, or something else treatable.  S/he would also be able to tell if the second mouse has a tumor or an abscess.  However, you might be surprised at how expensive a mouse trip to the vet can be.  It isn't less than another animal and in fact sometimes costs more because they are considered 'exotic' pets.

If you decide not to go to the vet, this is what I would do.  First, this kind of itching is often mites.  You can get 8-in-1 flea and tick spray at the pet store:  I recommend the one for BIRDS because it is not as strong as the rodent one and some mice have very sensitive skin.  Follow the directions carefully and do avoid the eyes, even though that is where the problem is.  Shake well (very very important), spray both mice, keep them warm until you are sure they are dry, and put them back in a cage which has been thoroughly cleaned.  Plastic and cloth toys should be washed in hot water and cardboard or paper should be thrown away.  If you see any improvement in three days, repeat the entire procedure ten days after the first time.  This should do the trick. If it helps a lot but the problem returns or isn't quite gone, then I would try the more potent RODENT 8-in-1 spray.

If the first treatment doesn't help at all, don't finish.  That will mean she has a different skin condition such as mange, which the vet can tell you how to treat.  

As for mouse number two, she might have a tumor or she might have an abscess.  If it is movable, it is probably a tumor.  If it is hard, it might be an abscess, which is easily treatable.    I certainly hope it is just an abscess.  Just like in the other case, the thing to do is treat her for the lesser problem and see if that does the trick.  An abscess is an infection under the skin like a very bad pimple-- that is, pus is building up around something infectious, some kind of bacterial invasion.  This could be caused by a scratch (or a bite) from the other mouse or even herself, or even from the bedding if it is something hard like straw or woodchips.  Thus I would want to give her antibiotics.  

At your pet store again, this time go to the FISH aisle and buy a bottle of Tetracycline capsules.  Open one capsule and in a small bowl (a jar lid or even a clean soda cap would work) mix it with a tiny bit of water to form a paste.  You have plenty to try with to get it right.  The paste should be somewhat spreadable, like peanut butter or a squashed banana.  Pick up the mouse by the scruff of its neck.  This is the loose fur behind its head, and it's how its mom used to carry it, so it doesn't hurt at all.  However, she won't be thrilled and she will struggle.  Do your best to get a little bit of the paste into her mouth and wipe some more around her whiskers (not the 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.  The other mouse will be fine drinking the same water.

If the lump does not go away, it is most likely a tumor.  The problem with mouse tumors is, unlike with rats, who are operable, mouse tumors spread and when you remove one, usually more appear in its place soon after.  Thus an operation is unlikely to do any good and would cause undue suffering.  A mouse with a tumor will, actually, be perfectly happy with it until the tumor begins to affect her ability to eat, drink, or move.  

I hope you have mites and an abscess.  (That sounds a little strange!)

Remember, the vet is always more of an expert than anyone else, so do what you think is right.

squeaks,

Natasha