Common Mice Health Problems: Signs, Causes & Care Tips

Mice are typically healthy pets, but recognising early signs of illness is crucial to ensuring their wellbeing. Changes in behaviour such as reduced sleep, excessive itching, loss of appetite, social withdrawal, or general unusual actions could indicate underlying health issues.

This guide will cover the most common health problems that can affect pet mice, helping you spot symptoms early and understand treatment options to support your pet's recovery.

Mites: Tiny Parasites Causing Itching

Mites live on the surface of a mouse’s skin, mainly feeding on dead skin cells around the face and neck. Despite being invisible to the naked eye, they cause intense itching, leading to skin irritation, scabs, and broken patches.

Mites spread directly between mice and require treatment with veterinary-approved sprays or topical applications. Thorough cleaning of the cage and accessories is essential to remove un-hatched eggs and prevent reinfestation.

Lice Infestation: Flea-like Suckers

Lice reside within mouse fur and feed on blood, causing discomfort and restlessness. Symptoms include continuous itching, reduced sleep, and weakness.

Unlike mites, lice are visible with close inspection, along with their characteristic eggs. Treating lice usually involves insecticidal products advised by a vet, alongside environmental cleaning to eradicate all eggs and adults.

Sneezing: Allergies or Respiratory Infection?

Sneezing can be a mild reaction to certain bedding materials such as cedar or pine, which many mice find irritating. Allergic reactions are common and usually improve when the bedding is changed to a safer option like paper or aspen shavings.

Persistent sneezing accompanied by lethargy may indicate a cold or respiratory infection. Veterinary assessment is needed if symptoms continue beyond a few days to initiate appropriate treatment.

Tumours: Early Detection is Key

Tumours in mice can appear as unusual lumps or growths during handling. It’s important to have any new or growing masses checked promptly by a veterinary professional.

Early intervention can often involve surgical removal, improving your mouse’s chances for a full recovery and minimising distress.

Obesity: The Hidden Risk of Overfeeding

While it’s tempting to share treats with pet mice, overfeeding can lead to obesity, increasing risks of heart problems and breathing difficulties.

A balanced diet suited for mice with limited treats is vital. Observing portion control and encouraging activity helps maintain a healthy weight and lifelong wellbeing.

Dental Issues: Managing Growing Teeth

Mice have continuously growing teeth, which they normally wear down naturally by gnawing. However, overgrown teeth can protrude painfully, interfere with eating, and cause injuries inside the mouth.

If you notice your mouse struggling to eat or teeth visibly overgrown, seek veterinary advice promptly. Professional trimming may be necessary to relieve discomfort and prevent complications.

Pneumonia: Serious but Treatable

This bacterial infection causes symptoms including sneezing, sniffing, inflamed eyes, and laboured breathing.

Catching pneumonia early allows antibiotic treatment, which might be administered through drinking water or injections under vet guidance. Supportive care includes keeping the mouse warm and clean.

Mousepox: Rapidly Spreading Viral Threat

Mousepox is a severe viral disease that can infect many mice quickly. Signs include lethargy, facial swelling, rough coat, diarrhoea, and can sadly lead to death.

No cure exists once infected, but preventative measures and symptom management can be provided by a vet to reduce spread and ease suffering.

Pinworms: Intestinal Intruders

Pinworms are common intestinal parasites transmitted through contaminated food. Infected mice may suffer from prolonged diarrhoea and weight loss but can often show no obvious signs.

Diagnosis involves stool testing, typically performed by the vet. Treatment includes anti-parasitic medication and thorough cage sanitation to prevent reinfection.

Barbering: Fur Biting Behaviour

Some mice may bite or pull out fur from cage-mates or themselves, often due to dominance behaviours, stress, boredom, or overcrowding.

The skin usually remains unbroken without bleeding. Separating aggressive or stressed mice and enriching their environment can help resolve barbering.

Fighting Injuries: Managing Cage Conflicts

Male mice housed together may have occasional scuffles resulting in bites to the tail, face, or body. Persistent aggression from one mouse requires removing that individual.

Minor wounds should be cleaned with an appropriate disinfectant to prevent infections. Continuous monitoring ensures the safety of all mice in the cage.

Conclusion

Being attentive to the health and behaviour of your pet mice is essential for early detection of health problems. Regular veterinary consultation is crucial if you suspect illness.

Addressing health issues promptly, combined with good husbandry practices like a clean environment and proper diet, gives your mice the best chance of a happy, healthy life.