Mouse Bedding & Mites
Anytime a pet mouse begins to scratch a lot, there is a chance that it is being attacked by mites, which are tiny parasites that burrow into the skin of the animal. Mites are transmitted to pet mice through contact with other infected animals, or via the bedding used to line their habitat. Only a veterinarian can properly diagnose and treat a mite infestation.
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Types
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The Rat and Mouse Club of America identifies three types of mites that most commonly afflict pet mice. They include the fur mites, Myobia musculi, Myocoptes musculinus, and Radfordia affinis. Almost all types of pet bedding can be infested with mites before it even leaves the pet store. The most commonly used bedding for pet mice is a brand called CareFresh, which is made from recycled newspaper. Other low-dust bedding alternatives include J&M's Snooze Flakes and Purina's Yesterday's News.
Identification
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Mites are so small that they are very difficult to see with the naked eye. Some symptoms that indicate a mouse has mites include excessive scratching, hair loss, flaky skin and, in light-colored mice, the presence of tiny black dots in the fur. A veterinarian can provide a definitive diagnosis by scraping the skin of the mouse and analyzing the sample under a microscope.
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Considerations
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A severe infestation of mites can rapidly diminish the immune system of a pet mouse, resulting in the shut-down of internal organs, or even death. Mites thrive in dirty cage conditions, and eliminating them can be tricky. As the mouse is being treated directly with medication and/or topical powders prescribed by a veterinarian, the cage must also be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with water and bleach on a daily basis to stop the breeding process.
Prevention/Solution
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According to the Fun Mouse website, bedding can be frozen or baked in an attempt to kill off any mites before they come into contact with the pet mouse. To freeze, the bedding must remain at 0 degrees Fahrenheit for 24 to 48 hours. Baking, which should be supervised to prevent fire, requires that the bedding be placed on a shallow pan in a 140-degree over for about 30 minutes. In both instances, bedding needs to return to room temperature before being placed in the habitat.
Medical Treatment Option
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The most commonly used drug to treat mites on mice is called Ivermectin. According to the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association, the drug is often dispensed every two weeks until the mites are gone through subcutaneous administration or oral or topical medication.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit infant mouse image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
