Hi, one of my pet mice is sick, she is acting fine, her usual self, but has lost fur behind her head there is about a 5p piece size of loss, which is red and sore also she now has a sore on her right side which looks like the same thing. I brought some mite stuff from pets at home and put that on her but no improvement, also how can i stop her itching it, just to give it chance to heal.
Answers:
Are you sure one of the other mice is not responsible?
Please seek the advice of a veterinarian. Yahoo!Answers is not a substitute for veterinary care.
stamp on it !
Have you cleaned her cage. Mouse urine is very acidic and *may* be causing it??
A reason for hair loss is an allergy. Some mice can't have peanuts, sunflower seeds, wheat, and a number of other things. Most mice should be given a low protein diet (13% or less) but some mice can't even handle that much. If your mouse has a protein problem or a food allergy then your mouse will develop what's known as "hot spots". Hot spots are spots on your mouse that are very itchy. The mouse ends up scratching these places bald and they often bleed. Most, yet not all, of the time mice get hot spots on the back of their ears and neck between their head and back, sometimes continuing down their back. Many people have mistaken hot spots for mites or lice. Some even treat for parasites when that's not the cause at all. Treating for parasites can be harmful to your mouse, especially when doesn't have them. In my experience, many people who think their mice have mites actually give their mice to much protein or food the mouse is allergic to, causing hot spots. If your mouse has this problem, take out all peanuts form the diet. Peanuts seem to be the most common allergy among mice. next take out some, if not all, sunflower seeds. Then try cutting back on the protein. If you have a mouse that is brindle or red (genetically Avy or Ay) then you might have more problems with this. In my years of experience, these mice are at a higher risk for developing hot spots. Theses mice my need an even lower protein diet than other mice. If you suspect that your mouse has an allergy try removing all of the common things that a mouse is allergic to such as peanuts, sunflower seeds, and any wheat. If your mouse within a week, then you know it was an allergy. Once you have established that it is a food allergy you can start bringing back types of food one at a time. Start, for instance, bringing back sunflower seeds to your mouse's diet. If he/she isn't showing any signs of getting worse in a week or 2 than your mouse can continue having it (always in moderation though). Now try to bring back another food type just as you did before. Keep doing this until you find the cause. While doing this remember that it could be protein in general. In this case all you need to do is cut back protein in general. Pre mixed food says on it how much protein is in it. If it has a lot you might want to consider getting a different brand. If you can't find any that is fewer than 13% then try taking out things from the mix that you know are high in protein. Be careful though. A mouse does need some protein in its diet to stay healthy!
Barbering
Over grooming, also called "Barbering", is a cause for bald spots. Mice are very clean animals (contrary to popular belief among non-mouse lovers). Some mice over groom themselves and some over groom their companions. Some mice will even pluck the whiskers of their companions. If you have a barbering mouse, try giving them something else to do with their time. Give them a new toy or a jungle gym. If you have a critter trail try changing the tubes around or adding a new attachment. I find that mice love rope. Hemp rope (found in craft stores) is safe and enjoyable to mice. I tie one end of the rope to the mesh tank top and the other to a cat toy hanging from it. Spicing things up a little might distract them enough to stop the behavior. If you give them a new hobby, such as toilet paper roll chewing, they might forget about over grooming. If you have a cage and your mouse has a bald spot on its nose or forehead then the problem might be from him/her sticking his/her nose out of the bars and rubbing it raw. If your mouse isn't in a cage and it has the bald spot on its nose, try checking the house he/she is in for places where it might be sticking its nose where it doesn't belong. If they wear their fur down to much it can bleed. When ever an open wound is involved there is a risk of infection. Try eliminating the problem before it gets that bad.
Hope I helped!!
talk to or see your vet SOON!
You're not the only one. My hamster has also lost some fur. Although I don't know why it's not improving or getting worse. The vet said it could be because it doesn't have enough nutrients. For your case, I'm not sure. Has it been bitten by another mice? try asking your vet.
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