The most common diseases of mice – what to be careful

The mice, due to their short duration, get sick quite quickly (in our opinion). This is often aggravated by stress, sometimes eating and inadequate conditions and, finally, various conditions. Unfortunately, the rats – like other animals – do not present the initial marks of poor health.

So what should we be careful when we have a mouse?

Diseases of the lower and upper respiratory tract.

Often, the custodians believe that the rat bleach from the nose or eyes. However, the operation proves to be porphyrine. The porphyrine are produced by the toughest gland located in the eye. These are «red tears» that appear due to stress or disease. Very often, secretion can be observed around the eyes, nose and also on the front legs. It seems there because of the fact that the rat rubs the area of ​​the eyes.

The rats are exposed to numerous bacterial and viral infections. Some infections in the upper and lower respiratory tract are asymptomatic or present with weak symptoms. Others have a serious evolution and can evolve into a chronic form.

Often, a serious lung disease follows general anesthesia if it involves an animal with an already subclinical disease of the lower respiratory tract.

In addition to the appearance of the porphyrins, the inclination of the head may also appear on one side and sneeze.

In case of serious inflammation and infection of the lower respiratory tract, the symptoms are often added weight loss, hissing and breathing difficulties. Ratti often adopt a hungry position. This is a condition that endangers life and requires urgent medical intervention.

If a rat falls ill, it is essential that it is isolated from other rats and placed in a clean and warm room (but not very hot!). It is recommended to give up sawdice/pellets and use kitchen towels to minimize the irritation of the respiratory tract.

Of course, the animal should be examined as soon as possible and drugs should be administered. The measures described here are intended to support treatment.

Otitis

The average ear infections are very often the consequence of infections or inflammation of the respiratory system. The inclination of the head on the one hand are manifested by imbalance, rolling on the one hand (so -called rolling in the barrel). In serious cases, a weight loss with food intake may also occur.

Treatment requires a doctor’s visit and is quite long. In some rats, the inclination of the head remains permanent, but they learn to work with it. Important note: Not all imbalances are associated with otitis. Sometimes, especially in the medium -aes and older rats, the problem is an endocrine disorder of the pituitary gland. Your exotic animal doctor will give you a diagnosis for both conditions.

Pododermite – or dermatitis on the legs

Very often it is caused by an inappropriate substrate (too hard, cage bars) or precarious hygiene of the cage (wet substrate, contaminated). And in this case, a treatment should be applied. It is up to the support to provide a soft and clean substrate and a base of the appropriate and solid cage (a base of threads, bars, etc. is harmful).

Arthritis

To a mouse? Well, yes. Like humans, dogs, cats and horses, mice have joint pain.

This usually affects rats over the age of 2, but can happen first.

In addition to the drugs, which will be determined by the doctor, you should make sure you have a soft surface and an easy access platform.

To delay the symptoms or to relieve them, it is advisable to guarantee from the beginning an adequate and balanced diet, which has a significant impact on the development of joint disease.

Skin abscesses

They may appear following struggles between individuals (for example, when they join new individuals) or spontaneously – in sick or elderly individuals.

Ascesses always require medical advice and, if not treated, endanger life.

Furthermore, sometimes, something that seems to be an abscess can prove, unfortunately, to be a cancerous injury.

Skin parasites

Ratti can suffer from skin parasites. The most common parasites are lice, scabies and fleas. The skin lesions are therefore typical in the form of small wounds, redness and alopecia.

The cause itself is not difficult to determine and treat, but here the choice of therapy is determined by the doctor. Unfortunately – to escape parasites it also requires a strong tightening of the hygiene rules for a longer period of time.

Dermatophitosis

The typical lesion of dermatophytosis in the rats is represented by alopecia and the appearance of small stairs on the skin. In rare cases, these lesions are accompanied by purulent exuded on the skin. Some rats can also be carriers of this type of mushroom, but therefore no sign of the disease.

Munger mushrooms are the most common cause of the disease. Easy enough to diagnose. In other cases, more advanced microbiological tests are required.

The blog texts do not represent medical advice and do not replace a visit to the vet.

Adrianna Wawrzyniak