Pet Mice & Skin Diseases

Mice require a great deal of attention when they are domesticated. Although they are clean animals, they can experience illness and disease--especially skin conditions. These skin conditions can occur for many reasons, including their tendency to scratch themselves with their claws.

  1. Infection and Mites

    • Scratching-related wounds commonly cause skin infections in pet mice. When a domestic mouse scratches itself accidentally with its claws, parasites can enter the body. Mites are the most common parasite to enter the skin and cause itching and irritation.

    Allergies

    • Diet is another major cause of skin disease. When mice eat foods they are allergic to, this can result in irritation and itching. Many mice experience allergic reactions leading to skin problems from proteins, peanuts and sunflower seeds. Unclean claws at the time of feeding can also cause an allergic reaction, leading to skin irritation.

    Fungal Infection

    • Fungal infection also causes skin disease. This occurs mainly from contact with children or other pets that may be hosting tapeworms or ringworms and who transmit the parasites to the mouse. The main symptoms of this condition include a scaly texture on the skin and small patches of baldness.

    Lice

    • Lice can also cause of skin disease in mice. The most easily identifiable signs of this disease include the appearance of scabs, especially on the back of the head and the shoulders. Lice, unlike mites, are visible to the eye. They can be eliminated with the help of a veterinarian.