My Mouse Arnie

by MouseMummy on Sat 10 Sep 2016, 9:47 pm

I took him to the vet today (I live in New Zealand) and we don't have great rodent vets here. So I thought perhaps you guys could help me.

He doesn't want to eat (managed to get some formula and water into him today though, but yesterday wasn't drinking)

He's lethargic but does move around sometimes

He has a pale tail (you can see his artery) and the tip is ghost white.

He's not particularly hunched
His breathing is a bit fast but not sure if that's normal or not

He's not sneezing or rattling or coughing

He doesn't have the runs or weeping eyes.

Any suggestions?

by Artistwolf on Sat 10 Sep 2016, 10:09 pm

Oh dear, that doesn't sound good... I don't know what it could be. What did the vet say?

by MouseMummy on Sat 10 Sep 2016, 10:25 pm

She said she didn't know what It could be. Maybe a response? His breathing got a bad all of a sudden so I've taken him into the shower room for a bit to get the steam in to help relax his lungs. Seems to have helped. I am waiting for the vet to call me back.

by **Peachy** on Sat 10 Sep 2016, 10:38 pm

How old is Arnie? Have you changed anything in his environment recently?

A heat source (like a heating pad) sometimes helps mice perk up when they're not feeling well... might be worth a try if you haven't done that, yet. I hope your vet will be able to help you more.

by MouseMummy on Sat 10 Sep 2016, 10:42 pm

He's just over a year old. Maybe 1 yr 3 months roughly.

I have been giving my boys a vitamin supplement lately that the pet store vet suggested for my old boy (he's over 2!) And so thought I'd give a little to my other boys as well (I have 3, Arnie is the youngest) I also have recently been giving them pureed vege meat and a little fruit (like half a teaspoon each) every day or two at night. That's the only thing that has changed.

I have a wheat pack. If I put that under his cage would that be okay? He's currently in a plastic hospital carrier to be closer to food and water if he decides to eat it.

by **Peachy** on Sat 10 Sep 2016, 10:53 pm

A wheat pack is fine. You'll want to make sure he'll be able to move away from the warmth if he gets too warm, though.

I know supplements are generally advised against... but I don't have any idea if it would make your mouse so ill. Hopefully other members will stop by to chime in soon.

by MouseMummy on Sat 10 Sep 2016, 10:56 pm

Why are they advised against if you don't mind me asking? The other two seem to thriving on it though.

OK will do that heat pack thank you :-)

Also Arnie is different in that he was bought from a family that breeds as opposed to the pet store that breeds their own mice and it known for breeding wonderful healthy mice as they also have a vet on site. So I wonder if that's an issue like perhaps he is genetically inferior or something?

by **Peachy** on Sat 10 Sep 2016, 11:04 pm

The idea is that they should be getting everything they need from their food... a base food with fresh food supplements (fruits, veggies, a protein, etc). I'd imagine it's also hard to make sure that what they're getting is correct, and too much of a "good thing" isn't good.

by MouseMummy on Sat 10 Sep 2016, 11:06 pm

Ah yup I see. I literally bought it to make sure they were getting what they needed... I feel like an :censored: now.

by MouseLover on Sun 11 Sep 2016, 10:36 am

Sorry your little guy isn't well Sad

did your vet listen to his breathing? Does he have no other symptoms at all? It's really hard to know what's wrong without more clues Sad

Has the vet (or you) checked his teeth?

by CinnamonPearl on Sun 11 Sep 2016, 4:27 pm

It sounds like something is very wrong, definitely. You have the right idea to keep him warm and in high humidity. Right now, be there for him. I hate to say it, but usually when mouse get lethargic and act like this, there is something very wrong internally, and the end could be near. Be there to comfort him; it's all you can do right now.

You could also give him some cheerios soaked in KMR.

by MouseMummy on Sun 11 Sep 2016, 4:41 pm

She didn't check his lungs. No sounds that I can hear through listening up close though.

His teeth and gums are fine.

The vet rang me back suggesting either antibiotics or to put him down. His breathing had gone very shallow very suddenly. I chose anti biotics. Was a mission getting them in to him though!

After 1 dose as well as getting a bit of formula in to him as he was going near solids, he is now eating solids! Just not as much as he used to still... but he seems to be doing better!

by **scaredymouse** on Sun 11 Sep 2016, 6:11 pm

I was going to ask why he wasn't on antibiotics, but I see that he is now! It's always worth a shot, in my opinion. I hope things continue to improve!