My mouse is scratching, losing fur. Is it mites? Can I use mite spray on wounds?

Question

So my mouse has been itching her self for a little bit before I went on break but when I got back were she seemed to be itching the most, she had itched her furr off and I put some antibiotics on it and cleaned her cage just yesturday and my aunt said it could be mites so I am going to buy some mite spray and I just wanted to know if there is any other possibilities of whats wrong and if I can spray the mite stuff on her wounds. Pet's info: Small Animal | Unknown - Small Animal | Female | 1 year and 6 months old

Rebeccah Wood · Accepted Answer

Hi there! Fur mites are relatively common in mice, especially if they are from a pet store. There are other conditions that can cause hair loss and skin lesions, but many times the most damage done is self-inflicted. I strongly suggest trimming little Rosy's rear toenails if you can, especially if the skin lesion is at a location that she can scratch at (like the back of her neck, or between the shoulder blades). A tiny scissor or a human fingernail trimmer is good for this. In albino mice, you should be able to see the small, pink vein in the nail - avoid cutting past this. If you do accidentally nick a toenail, don't worry - a small bit of corn starch should stop this up. In a pinch, scratching a bleeding nail on a bar of soap can help, too. Usually, simply putting pressure on it for a minute or so is enough to stop the bleeding, too. Once her nails are trimmed, I suggest cleaning up any skin lesions with a mild soap and water solution, then placing a protective ointment (like the antibiotic ointment you have) on the lesion before applying the mite spray. Most rodent mites live in the fur, so protecting the skin lesions shouldn't decrease the effectiveness of the mite treatment. Do avoid the eyes, nose, and mouth, and follow the directions on the box or bottle carefully. If the toenail trim and mite treatment doesn't help, it might be time to visit the vet to check for ringworm. This is unlikely, but possible, especially if the skin lesions have a crusty or flaky center. Be sure to practice good handwashing after handling Rosy as ringworm is contagious to humans. Good luck, and I do hope that Rosy recovers quickly!

My mouse is scratching, losing fur. Is it mites? Can I use mite spray on wounds?

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