ear itching and hair loss

Question
My mice have developed a redden almost blood color along the side of the ears extending to the back with itching and hair loss and eventually the loss of the ears It seemed like what ever it was actually ate the flesh away.  It never spread to any of the people or the dogs just seems to be mouse bound  I took the mice to the vet and they never gave me an answer but did prescribed a wash and liquid topical treatment Some said allergies to bedding and food but it was neither and so I had no choice but to put them all to sleep  And now these new mice are getting it too  What can it be? Thanks

Answer
Dear Renee,

First of all, a vet should know better than I do.  However, it doesn't sound to me like your vet was very informed.  Do they have a lot of experience with mice and rats?  If not, you might really want to look around.  In any case, you should be able to call the vet and ask to be told the diagnosis of the previous mice.  

Allergies can't be the problem since it was spread from mouse to mouse.

This sounds like a fungus rather than a parasite.  One person I know has used a little athlete's foot powder; another neosporin.  The vet ought to have something anti-fungal.  If you use the neosporin, be sure you rub it in really well so they don't eat it.  

To prevent any other mice from getting it (besides quarantining the sick ones) you are going to have to throw away anything made of wood or paper and clean plastic objects in a mixture of just a small bit of bleach and very hot water.  The cage must be thoroughly cleaned as well, again with hot bleach-water, not forgetting the lid.  And anything you might have worn or used with the infected mice must be washed before contact with the new ones (clothing? gloves?).  I would also throw away the food source in case it was contaminated.  

This is a case where a good vet is imperative.  You may be able to find a site with vet recommendations through a website such as AFRMA (American Fancy rat and Mouse Association).  Here is its very thorough links page:

http://www.afrma.org/afrmalinks.htm

There are other arms of the AFRMA in other parts of the world too.

I wish you the best of luck for your poor mice and I hope they can be healed and live happy lives!

squeaks,

Natasha