Mouse has the Snuffles?

by jubilee Mon 05 Nov 2018, 5:16 pm

Wow! Long time no see everyone.

So I've had Phoebe, my little female mouse, for about a year now. She recently started making clicking noises, mainly when she is in her little sleep hut. She'll also sneeze a little, her eyes are a bit runny, and the fur on her back looks a bit oily. She is still eating and is fairly active, but I'm super worried for her!

My family recently went through a little cold, and I'm wondering if she caught it. My veterinarian parents are looking into it. Does this sound like a URI or a cold? Is there anything else I can do for her?

Thank you everyone!

by jubilee Mon 05 Nov 2018, 6:35 pm

Here's a video hopefully. Please help!!

https://r3---sn-q4flrn7y.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id=f0a8d804bf934935&itag=18&source=picasa&begin=0&requiressl=yes&pl=32&sc=yes&ei=ZuHgW_KYMsqF_QHezpaYBA&susc=ph&app=fife&mime=video/mp4&dur=14.303&lmt=1541464392139141&ip=2605:6000:170c:1b3:7d00:9b59:5341:72f0&ipbits=0&expire=1541471622&sparams=app,dur,ei,expire,id,ip,ipbits,itag,lmt,mime,mm,mn,ms,mv,pl,requiressl,sc,source,susc&signature=05164630CC53616626639CB2F51B911017EBD805.0DCB89FD39421158DEEA7B29EF6180C6B9FDA180&key=cms1&redirect_counter=1&cm2rm=sn-q4fe7e7s&fexp=23763603&req_id=174ea2446257a3ee&cms_redirect=yes&mm=34&mn=sn-q4flrn7y&ms=ltu&mt=1541464359&mv=m

by AnonymousMouseOwner Mon 05 Nov 2018, 6:54 pm

I hate to say it, but that does sound and look like a URI to me. From the video, she looks lethargic and her breathing is labored. You also mention a clicking sound and sneezing, all these symptoms combined definitely sound like your mousie has a URI. A mouse catching a human cold is extremely unlikely.

Luckily, she can recover from a URI! The sooner you start treating her, the better. My mouse I had with a URI looked like she wasn't even going to make it to the vet appointment in the morning, but she miraculously made it until morning, got her first dose of antibiotics at the vet, and after 2 weeks of antibiotics she was on her way to complete recovery. She went on to live a normal lifespan of 1.5 years with no complications except an occasional little sneeze.

Does she seem hunched over when she is out and not resting? A mouse with a URI will often sit or even walk around with a hunched back, some show it more than others. Does she seem to make that clicking sound every time she takes a breath? That would also point to a URI.

I hope your little Phoebe gets well soon!

by MerciToujoursMaPetiteBoop Mon 05 Nov 2018, 7:14 pm

Concur. Phoebe's breathing looks like a struggle, and she appears to have discomfort. It doesn't matter what flavor of germ she has, or where she got it -- or if it's not a germ at all and she's been injured somehow. The important thing is to get her some professional medical attention before anything gets worse.

by jubilee Mon 05 Nov 2018, 9:44 pm

Thank you! Is there anything I can do for her in the meantime?? I kills me to see her wheezing like that.

by MerciToujoursMaPetiteBoop Tue 06 Nov 2018, 9:48 am

I don't know what's causing it, so I don't want to suggest something that might create more harm than good. The little squeaks made me wonder if she might have an injury -- as opposed to the usual tic-tic-tic of sticky mucus membranes.

Let Phoebe decide what is comfortable for her, in terms of position and bedding, and make sure she is getting something to eat and drink. If she is reluctant to move around, this is where baby porridge might come in handy, as an all-in-one. Make it a little on the thin side, but not actually runny, to guarantee adequate hydration. You could set out some in a little jar lid as close as she needs it. And check around where she is resting, to make sure she isn't lying in soiled bedding.

Monitor her body temperature, and if she is getting cool, let her drink some sugar water (or syrup diluted in water) for extra calories. Or a little syrup/honey can be added to the porridge, if you have made some.

by jubilee Tue 06 Nov 2018, 9:54 am

Thank you guys so much. My father is currently seeing if we can get her some antibiotics. She is moving around comfortably and eating and drinking normally. Mainly though, she is resting in her napping place. I don't think she's injured, as she will climb around my hands and puts up with little pokes. Phoebe isn't squeaking as much yesterday, and I'm mainly hearing the little clicks and sneezes. I've moved her into my working space so I can monitor her a little closer. Will definitely make her a little porridge or sugar water to try to perk her up before we can get medicine. Any suggestions as far as how to get her to take the medicine when I get it?

by jubilee Tue 06 Nov 2018, 12:50 pm

Update: Got the Medication! Mixed it with peanut butter and had her lick it off the blunt end of a toothpick. She took nearly all of it. Right now she's snuffling away while napping. The healthy mice are also sleeping, so I think she is doing the whole "nocturnal" thing. She does seem a little extra lathargic though. Hopefully the medicine will help her.

by AnonymousMouseOwner Tue 06 Nov 2018, 4:29 pm

I'm so glad to hear that she's being a good girl and taking her medicine! Out of curiosity, is it Baytril? I hear that's the most common antibiotic to prescribe to mice, and it's what my mousie got better from. If you haven't already, I would recommend maybe giving her some probiotics too. My vet prescribed those with the antibiotics. The way antibiotics work is that they not only kill all those little bad guys invading the mouse's body, but all the good guys trying to fight it too. Probiotics can replenish the good guys to help her have more strength to fight the illness! It's like a tiny war inside your mouse and you need to keep sending the good troops in there to fight the bad ones.

I hope she feels better soon! Also keep in mind that ups and downs are normal, when my mouse was fighting a URI she would sometimes look so sick I thought she wasn't going to make it, then she'd be all perked up the next day.

Just make sure she keeps getting her medicine, has a nice, comfy, dark place to rest, and you can offer her food and water to ensure she gets what she needs. When my mice aren't feeling well, they always appreciate water from a dropper and soft foods.

by jubilee Mon 03 Dec 2018, 2:57 pm

Update: Phoebe is dying, and it was never a URI.

So, she had a lot of ups and downs, which I expected. The medicine never really seemed to help her, and I tried EVERYTHING. I reduced the dust in her bedding by switching to paper towels. I gave her extra sugar through some mousie porridge. Most importantly, I gave her all the medicine I thought it would take to get her better. This morning she was running around, and now she is motionless in my hand. Her breathing is labored, but not from a respiratory infection. When I was holding her, I felt something odd on her throat. Tumors. At least four separate ones, right on her throat. That's why she's having trouble breathing. I think I'll have to put her down. The mouse lying still on soft fleece is not the Phoebe I know, and she isn't living a happy life right now.

Thank you all for the advice and help. Sigh

by jubilee Mon 03 Dec 2018, 4:50 pm

She's gone. Rest in peace, little Phoebe.

by MerciToujoursMaPetiteBoop Sun 09 Dec 2018, 11:53 am

The time we are given to spend with those that are beloved to us is never enough.

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