Mouse still itchy!

Re: Mouse still itchy!

Tom Ward — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:48:03 GMT

I saw a hamster a while back which had been given 3 doses of ivermectin 2wks apart and was still pruritic. Skin looked quite red and sore so gave a 7 day course of baytril for 2ry pyoderma and away the itch went!

Re: Mouse still itchy!

Noweia — Thu, 19 May 2011 19:26:05 GMT

If it's as warm where you are as it is here, it may be down to the heat. Mine are drinking much more than usual (I have around 30).

Re: Mouse still itchy!

Rach — Thu, 19 May 2011 19:17:40 GMT

Thanks everyone, little mouse was itching like mad, espcially its nose and back of its neck so I gave it a smidge of dex and adv re toilet tissue for bedding and some environmental enrichment etc. I've discussed the need for rpt ivermectin doses too (and it was Xeno 50 my colleague gave -my mistake in typing!). The owner noted it was PUPD too, not sure if this is d/t pyrexia or something more sinister... Thanks again for all your help, very much appreciated.

Re: Mouse still itchy!

Mark Rowland — Thu, 19 May 2011 08:57:40 GMT

OK this is how I treat these cases

1) analgesia, meloxicam at 1mg/kg bid

2) ivermectin, diluted and given s/c at 0.3mg/kg

3) Malaseb, diluted and applied topically bid with a cotton bud

4) Substrate change to toilet paper or carefresh

5) Environtal enrichment wrt food (mix washed stones in with food to make the mouse work more... if they are bored, they will scratch)

6) Palm oil supplenentation

7) Topical healX soother cream

The client will then have a bit more of a plan of action

Hope this helps, Goodluck

Mark

Re: Mouse still itchy!

nikianna nicholas — Thu, 19 May 2011 08:17:26 GMT

oops - think I hit the wrong button !

If you speak to Bayer they have some off liscence data regarding use of advocate in small mammals - I tried this on a mouse whith severe skin lesions where mites had been confirmed and which had not responded to either xeno or ivermectin (plus antibiotics) and the lesions resolved .

Re: Mouse still itchy!

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 18 May 2011 23:55:23 GMT

As long as you give an appropriate product to treat the parasite a little dex settles the itch down. Promise you the mangy guinea pigs get better faster with a single shot of pred.

?Cortavance spray

Re: Mouse still itchy!

Utlendigur — Wed, 18 May 2011 23:16:43 GMT

I thought xeno 450 was for rabbits/guinea pigs - sounds quite a large dose for a mouse - isn't it Xeno 50 for smaller furries?

Re: Mouse still itchy!

Kate Richardson — Wed, 18 May 2011 22:32:38 GMT

I always thought that it was quite 'normal' for animals to still be itchy or possibly even itchier after the first treatment for mites (assuming this is due to mites) due to the mites dying and causing more temporary irritation? Or maybe that's an old wives tale?

Re: Mouse still itchy!

Julie Innes — Wed, 18 May 2011 22:30:16 GMT

I remember having a similar case as a new grad- tried everything Finally went to my (large animal vet) boss, who nodded sagely and told me- "Aye, mice are often just ****ing itchy!" Doesn't help much, I know, but I have found over the years that he was somewhat right- itchy mice seem to be difficult and frustrating to treat! I've used antibiotics in some of these, as their skin often seems ton get really traumatized and infected, which seems to contribute to the itch. Good luck!

Re: Mouse still itchy!

Noweia — Wed, 18 May 2011 22:23:28 GMT

A lot of pet mice seem to get this. Once parasites are ruled out, allergy/behaviour seem to be the next most common thing - I've seen apparent allergies/sensitivity to bedding (esp Carefresh) and certain food types. Trouble is, the itching can turn into a problem behaviour which continues after the source of the itching is removed.

I would find out what substrate they're on and if there have been any recent diet changes. Childrens' diphenhydramine liquid diluted into the water to control itching has worked for some people, also Loratidine and several have tried homeo drops.

Re: Mouse still itchy!

Mark Hedberg — Wed, 18 May 2011 21:19:26 GMT

Xeno 450 isn't a miracle cure - damaged or injured skin isn't going to magically stop itching instantly. Worth a re-examination but skin takes time to heal...

(injectable ivermectin isn't something I'd care to dilute down to a mouse sized dose! :) )