AboutNatasha Expertise I can answer questions about raising mice and caring for them as pets, with knowledge from my 35 years of having mice as very tame pets, including some breeding. I know about illnesses and problems which have come up in my experience with my mice. I also may be able to use contact with a fancy mouse breeding expert who is a friend (he knows a lot about illnesses too). Right now I have 4 sweet show (fancy) mice named Clara, Brandy, Little Honey and Fluff (who will have the name Clementine when she is big enough for it). My expertise is pretty broad, and I have numerous mouse books to fall back onto.
I want to stress that my advice is about tame mice, which may be very different than advice by someone who breeds rather than lives in the company of mice. This can lead to differences between experts, so be sure you are asking the right person. If I contradict what a breeding expert says, this is why.
Experience I have had mice for 34 years (since I was 5!). I raised them when I was a child but now I keep all females, and never fewer than three so that if one dies the others are not devastated, because they have each other.
Education/Credentials B.A., M.A., M.A. in Linguistics: Yale University and University of Connecticut
Expert: Natasha Date: 6/30/2008 Subject: itching mouse not mites
Question Hey Natasha,
I am 12 years old and recently my mouse has been unwell.
He is about 8 months old and has recently been scratching constantly. We called our local pet store and they gave us some mite spray, i have followed the directions and it hasn't seemed to have worked.
He is still scratching his forehead, around his eyes and a lot behind his ears.
I went in and looked at him today and part of his ear had been scratched off. His ears have been scabby for a long time but i didn't think it would be this serious!
He seems to be in pain and i really want him to feel better again.
Sincerely, Marnie.
Answer Dear Marnie,
I'm afraid it is time to go to a vet. The vet will be able to test a skin flake to diagnose the problem. It could be something like mange or ringworm. The vet will have products to help the mouse which you cannot get over the counter.
The only other home remedy to try would be a little athlete's foot powder, perhaps mixed into a tiny bit of salad oil and rubbed on. However, it sounds like this problem is too serious to wait now. I hope you can get to a vet that sees exotic animals.
