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my mouse is making a weird noise..

21 15:40:14

Question
QUESTION: I have had Mia since march 2007, and i just got Ryan 3 weeks ago. They didn't get along at first, but now are best buds! Since yesterday, mia has been making a horrible noise. Some people thought it was congestion, but it is not every time she breathes. She is not sneezing and keeps cleaning herself and using her wheel. She is not showing any signs of feeling ill, but only makes that noise. It sounds like shes chewing somthing, but she isn't. It occurs when shes sniffing, but not all the time. please help!

ANSWER: Thank you for your question.

Expect babies any time soon! You will probably have a litter in the near future as the male and female will mate. If you don't want babies you will need to separate them asap and find same - sex buddies for them.

The noise could be a number of things. Do you use sawdust rather than wood shavings? If so she may be making the noise due to dust particles up her nose. If she is in with a male you may hear loud squeaking (mating is usually stressful for the female especially if she is will him all the time).

'Chattering' of teeth can vary in volume. Some known as 'singing mice' reach such volumes they would keep you awake at night. Generally speaking chattering of teeth is a good sign and means they are happy. However, I wouldn't describe this as a 'horrible' noise.

If she is pregnant (she probably is being in with a boy) she may be experiencing some pregnancy pain. Gently feel her body to see if any areas show discomfort. If she has lumps they could be an abscess or cancer and are sometimes painful.

Please feel free to ask any more questions. I hope she gets better soon. Good luck!

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

QUESTION: Thanks for the answer, but they are both FEMALES! It's not a horrible sound, but it is loud. I have never ehard her make it before. Some doctors thought it was congestion, but it doesn't happen as congestion would sound. She still plays and I have seen her eating and drinking and going to the bathroom. Do mice make weird noises? Is chattering normal? Even though she hasn't done it before, since 2 days ago?

Answer
The important thing is that she is eating and drinking and it's coming out the other end. If she doesn't appear to be in discomfort then I wouldn't worry.

'Chattering' is very common. Some mice do it when they are young and some start when they become elderly. Some do it all the time and some only do it when they are very happy (like when you play with them). It can happen at any time, perhaps she has always done it but only now is it audible to the human ear.

Breathing problems are very common in mice but unfortunately there isn't much you can do. However I wouldn't worry, it doesn't sound like a health problem.

Please feel free to ask any more questions.