Pet Mice Diseases

Pet mice generally are clean animals who spend a lot of time grooming and cleaning themselves. However, at times bacterial infections and other diseases do occur in pet mice. Knowing about those diseases can help owners of mice to take preventive measures or to care for mice that become ill.

  1. Lice, Mites and Bacterial Infection

    • Lice are blood-sucking skin parasites. They bite and suck the blood of mice head and neck and are usually found in the hair follicles of those rodents. Lice cause skin sores and skin irritation to the point of itching. Lice in mice can increase the chance of mice developing blood-borne diseases. Lice are extremely contagious and pet owners must handle the pet with care if lice are present. Lice are treated the same way it is treated for humans--with a medicated shampoo.

      Mites are another skin parasite found in mice. It also causes skin irritation where skin becomes raw. Mites are treated with liquid drops or an injection medication.

      Bacterial infections can occur in pet mice from bacteria found in their living area after contracting a skin wound from fighting or other skin abrasions. If the wound is untreated---the infected area results in an abscess that must be treated by the veterinary opening, lancing and draining the infected area.

    Tapeworms and Pinworms

    • After eating food that is contaminated, mice can contract a tapeworm infection. Tapeworms live in mice intestines. The tapeworms deplete the nutrients and water that rodents take in on a daily basis, and mice infected with tapeworms lose weight. Tapeworms are found in fecal matter of mice. After the vet examines the fecal matter of the pet, she will determine treatment of the animal. For mice that are infected with tapeworms, pet owners must handle animals with care because this disease can pass to humans from the pet. It is important to wash hands before and after handling the infected mouse.

      Pinworms are found less often in pet mice but they do occur. Mice don't usually have extreme side effects to pinworms but they do have the symptom of itching around the anal area. Veterinarians find pinworms by examining the skin around the anal area. Humans cannot get pinworms from infected mice but pet owners must always wash hands before and after handling the infected pet.

    Cancer

    • Cancer in mice can happen when a tumor grows internally or externally and takes over healthy skin tissue. Mice can develop cancer of the blood and reproductive organs. Both male and female mice are susceptible to breast cancer. Removing the infected area or lumps treats breast cancer. Cancer found in mice can quickly spread and cause death before it is detected. For that reason, lumps found in pet mice should be reported to the vet immediately.