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are my mice sick?

21 15:39:52

Question
QUESTION: help!! I own 3 FEMALE mice and one has swollen cheeks and one a swollen nipple... the other one doesn't have any.. please help! is this a disease? how can i cure it? is it normal? i have pics, sorry if they're a bit blurry, i caught them with my phone's camera.
They don't act like they're sick.. or hurt too. They have smooth fur and everything. But what are those lumps? They're not pregnant too.
I have seen pictures of mouse tumors on the net and it doesn't look a thing like it. They're just smooth,hairless lumps.
here are the pics:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/yamiyugisgirl/untitled-1.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/yamiyugisgirl/dgn.jpg

ANSWER: You have very cute mice, thank you for the pictures they are helpful.

Has the mouse with no whiskers suddenly lost them or did you buy her like this? If you've had her for a long time it could be old age (although she doesn't look very old in the picture). It may also be genetic or she may have lost them through excessive grooming (sometimes a result of stress). The important thing is that she is behaving normally, is eating and drinking and that its coming out the other end. I wouldn't worry too much, they should grow back. You could take her to the vet but I'm not sure theres much he can do.

The one with the swollen 'nipple' looks suspiciously like a boy. From the picture, the 'nipple' seems central which means its a penis. If you can see a baggy area of skin below the anus this is also an indicator its a boy. The distance between the anus and the genital is greater in males than females.

If I have misjudged the picture and it is a female then swollen nipple may be an infection, particularly if its weeping. If this is the case take her to the vet.

They are definitely not tumors nor are they signs of a pregnant mouse. Nursing mothers have swollen nipples as they feed the young.

Please feel free to ask any more questions, good luck.

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

QUESTION: thanks a lot! i feel so relieved! :] the one with the swollen 'nipple' is a girl... and ii noticed it was bleeding!! i should tske it to a vet. Is it contagious? :)

Answer
Yes you should take her to the vet asap. I think its an infection so I don't think its contagious. However, if you are concerned you should separate her until you see the vet.

If you find out what the problem is I would be very grateful if you told me so I can help those who come across this problem in the future.

I hope she gets better soon!