Mice respiratory disease

Mice are renowned for respiratory disease, when you are confronted with a sneezing mouse, with nasal or ocular discharge, here is what you can do.

Differentials for mice with respiratory disease:

  • Infection
  • Lung neoplasia
  • Heart disease

Clinical signs that you may see include;

  • “Teeth” chattering
  • Dyspnoea
  • Rhinitis
  • Anorexia
  • Weight loss
  • Coat and posture changes

So how can you help these mice?

Treatment options – used where appropriate

  • Minimize handling! This will stress your mouse and increase respiratory distress
  • Provide supplemental oxygen and heating
  • Antibiotics – Enrofloxacin and Doxycycline are great palatable choices for mice
  • Adjunctive respiratory therapy
    • Bronchodilators – ie Theophylline
    • Adequate nutrition!

Hop to it!

References
Vella, D. Time Online: Rabbits & Rodents. CVE Time Online 2018.

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