[alady]

In Dec 2010, I got myself three little mouse girls. They appeared to be full grown already at this point. So they got along well, they had a relatively uneventful little mouse-life together.

In April, the first of the three died. I believe the cause to be old age, because she was in the 1.5-2 year range at that point which is old for a mouse. Nothing appeared to be wrong with her, she just slowed down a bit and then was dead one morning. In May, the second mouse died. Again I think she was just old.

Now the third mouse has been alone in her cage for a few weeks. At first I thought she seemed fine. She was still running on her wheels and seemed to be acting normal. But over the last week or so, I've noticed a couple of things developing.

My Worries:

1) She's been less active, which might just be old age again. She seems to like to find a spot, and just sit still in the same spot for several hours. Then she'll go do whatever, eat, drink water, run on the wheel a while, then find a place to just sit and chill for several more hours. I wouldn't be too worried except that sometimes she sits in the plastic tubing extensions I've always had on the cage, and seems to either sit there so long her breath steams it up or... something. I'll look in on her and she'll be sitting in a little plastic area with drops of moisture lining that area. I've tried taking out those areas I first noticed her in, and cleaning them, but she seems to keep doing it.

2) The more concerning thing I've noticed is that she has been balding over the past week or so. I first noticed that the fur on her face and neck were getting thinner, and have been getting thinner still. I think this might be over-grooming, maybe because she's nervous and uncomfortable being alone. She seems to be itchy, and keeps scratching behind her neck with her hind legs, and just now I noticed that she has scratched an area open. I read about barbering and thought this might be the problem at first, but she never displayed this behavior on her cagemates, only on herself very recently.

My Specific Questions:

1) Is there any way I can alleviate her itching, or the soreness where she's scratched up? I don't want to be just putting lotion on her or something, but is there anything safe to use on her that may make her feel more comfortable and stop scratching and hurting herself? I work in a (human) healthcare facility and we have A&D Ointment there that does wonders for (again, human) skin which is dry or irritated or pretty much anything. How can I know if this might be safe to apply a small amount to the mouse's scratched open back?

2) What kinds of things can I do to help her feel less nervous and lonesome? I imagine that these things are at least part of the problem, and I feel sad for her, but I don't plan on getting more mice and even if I did there would be the whole transitional period- Basically, she's unfortunately stuck as a lone mouse. What can I do to make that suck less for her?

Thanks guys I just want to take care of this poor old lady, and help her live out the rest of her life as comfortably as I can!

 

[alady]

Well I asked a friend of mine who is a pretty good source of animal information. She said this is probably over-grooming due to boredom and loneliness. She emphasized that mice are such social creatures, so the mouse is going to need time interacting with me more than ever. I also did some more reading and found the advice that new toys would be stimulating for her. I gave her a new toy and mixed up her cage a little today and she seemed happier.

 

[deermouse]

Here is a link on itchy mice. It is important that you treat the scratching because it can become habitual and continue even after the original problem is solved. "mouseranch.com/FYI/itchy&scratchy.shtml" (sorry, but I can't post a clickable link - you will have to cut and paste).

I think you are on the right track with your friends advise. I suggest more human interaction, mice are social creatures and need companionship. An older mouse is less likely to be interested in toys, but whatever works. Of course anything you can distract her with will probably be good, like putting a ticking clock in a puppy's bed.

good luck,
paul