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Mouse:  Most frequent diseases.   Vet Dr. Tiger gives information and advice.

Of the many diseases white mice and gerbils may get, only       the most important ones will be described hereafter. We have       to learn and to judge by ourselves when it is necessary to go       to see the vet.       The best prevention against diseases are cleanliness and       hygiene in the cage. The equipment has also to be kept in       good condition. As mice have an extremely weak immune       system against infections, this recommendation is of utmost       significance. Moreover, a balanced and healthy feeding is the       best basis for healthy animals. Most of the diseases       represent no danger for human beings. Caution must be exercised in case of transmissible fungal infections. Hereafter a table showing a summary of the most frequently occuring mouse diseases.

Disease	Causes	Symptoms	Visit veterinarian?
Parasites (parasites of the skin)	Lice, biting lice, mites	Agitated behaviour, itching, hair loss, inflammations, weakness, lack of appetite	Special remedies from the zoo specialist shop or from the vet, avoid contact with wild mice because these may transmit diseases
Diseases of the airway	Infections, draught, keeping animals in a bad way and not appropriate to their species	Sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, weariness, shaggy pelage, fever, respiratory noises	Go to see the vet, keep the animal in best possible conditions
Diarrhoea	Infections, intestinal parasites, disorder in the intestinal flora	Watery to bloody diarrhoea, weariness, shaggy pelage, death	Go to see the vet, best possible feeding, cleanliness, avoid contact with wild mice
Fungal infection, transmissible to human beings	Fungus	Circular to oval hairless spots, inflammations	Go to see the vet
Injuries	Bites	Injuries of the skin	Minor injuries are healing spontaneously, otherwise go to see the vet, stock appropriate to the size of the cage
Tumour	Various kinds of cancer	Protruding larger neoplasia, weariness, emaciation	Go to see the vet
Meningitis (LCM)	Meningococcus or viral infection	Vomiting, sudden temperature, coordination disorder	Go to see the vet

Self-Medication

In case of parasites which can be treated with special remedies from the zoo specialist shop, or in case of minor injuries or diarrhoea the animal can be taken care of by oneself. It is also possible to administer medecine to a white mouse by means of a syringe, to keep a gerbil warm under the infrared lamp as well a to control the incisor teeth of a rat at home. In case of strange appearances, however, it is necessary to go to see the vet at once, before it is too late!

Emergency situations

Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to discern an emergency situation as such in the case of such small animals. The few reserves the litte body has are quickly consumed. Continued observation of one's pet, however, helps to gain experience in judging when immediate action is necessary. One can, of course, talk of an emergency if an animal gets caught in a door or in case of poisoning.

When to consult the veterinarian?

A person who each day gives attention to his rodents will discern when an animal changes his habits, for instance all of a sudden does not climb anymore, does not eat or looks tired all the time. As it has been said before, it is very difficult to assess diseases of such small animals which often progress very quickly. The few reserves the little body has are quickly consumed. That is why the rodent has to be brought to the vet's practice immediately when signs of a disease show up.