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Pet Clinic /
Small Pets /
Rats & Mice /
Diseases of mice and rats |
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Diseases of mice and rats |
| Obesity: : |
The tendency to become overweight (often grossly overweight) is more often a problem of pet rats than mice. Overindulgent pet owners and the of diets rich in seeds and nuts are most often responsible for this condition.
Owners of pet rats must resist the temptation to feed "junk food," such as French fries, doughnuts, cookies and candy. Commercial diets specifically designed for rats are always preferred and can be supplemented with whole-wheat bread, dry cereal, pasta, fruits, vegetables and non-fat yogurt.
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| Overgrown Incisors: |
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The incisor (front, gnawing) teeth of all rodents and rabbits grow continuously for the life of the individual. The continual wear between the uppers and lowers usually prevents overgrowth of the teeth. Hereditary abnormalities of the jaw bones and/or teeth, abscessation of the incisor teeth, or injury to he jaw may result in malocclusion (improper meeting of the upper and lower incisors).
Malocclusion, in turn, results in overgrowth of one or more of the incisors, with subsequent injury to the mouth. Mice and rats with this problem must have their overgrown incisors trimmed periodically by an experienced vet or vet technician.
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| Tumors: |
Both mice and rats are very susceptible to formation of tumors. Rats over 2 years of age are reported, have an 87% chance of developing one or more types of tumors! Mice frequently develop tumors representing a wide variety of tissue types. The tumors may be external or internal.
Leukemia (cancer involving the white blood cells) is quite common in mice as well. Both male and female rats develop benign mammary (breast) tumors, and females develop benign tumors of the uterine and vaginal linings. These are the most common tumors of pet rats. Because rats have mammary tissue in locations beneath the skin other than along the underside of the belly, it is not uncommon to find lumps and bumps representing mammary tumors over the shoulders, flanks and base of the tail.
These tumors are relatively easy to surgically remove under general anesthesia. Owners of pet mice and rats should seek veterinary attention at once after discovering a lump, bump or unusual mass protruding from a body opening, the mass can be surgically removed by the veterinarian and biopsied to determine its exact identity issue type, benign vs malignant, etc) which, in turn, helps to determine the long-term outlook for the patient.
Tumors tend to grow continuously larger and may ulcerate and become infected if they reach very large size. For this reason, it is always preferable to remove them when they are
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| Red-Brown Tears of Rats: |
Rat owners, at some point, notice red-brown tears staining the eyelids, nose and sometimes the front paws of their pet rats. This substance is always mistaken for blood.
It is actually a normal secretion from a large gland behind the eyes. red-brown tears are noted most often in response to stressful situations (restraint, fright, illness, etc).
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| Cannibalism in rats: |
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: Female rats (mice much less often) disturbed shortly after giving birth to a litter may destroy the pups and eat them. Male rats also engage the same behavior. For these reasons, it is important not to disturb female rodents for 2-3 days after they have given birth. Male rats must be removed m enclosures just before females deliver their litters.
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| Skin Disease: : |
There are many causes of skin disease in pet mice and rats. Numerous infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites may be involved. Cagemates may be responsible for hair loss and/or wounds to the skin.
Allergies are also a suspected cause of skin disease of pet rodents. In these cases, it is wise to replace the bedding being used with plain white, unscented paper toweling. A vet should be consulted when pet mice and rats exhibit signs of skin disease. The doctor will need to conduct diagnostic tests. Appropriate treatment is then based on the results of these
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| External Parasite Problems: |
Pet mice and rats may be infested with a variety of external parasites. Mites, nearly microscopic, spider-like organisms, live on the skin surface and feed primarily on skin debris. They are transmitted by direct contact between infested and uninfested rodents. Signs of infestation range from mild scratching to severe scratching, with hair loss and ulceration of the skin.
A vet should be consulted if mite infestation is suspected. Microscopic examination of a scraping of the skin is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment may include a new injectable drug (ivermectin) that has proven very effective in treating mange in a wide range of animals
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| Lice: |
Lice may also parasitize the haircoats of pet mice and rats. They are flattened, wingless insects that suck tissue fluids and blood from the skin of the host. Ace are larger than mites and can usually be seen without a magnifying lens.
Lice are most often transmitted by direct contact with infested bedding and between infested and uninfested individuals. The lice of mice and rats are found most often on the neck and body. They suck blood and can, therefore, cause anemia (sometimes death) and transmit bloodborne diseases to rodents. Louse infestations may also cause scratching, hair loss and skin wounds. A vet should be consulted if louse infestation is suspected.
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| Intestinal Parasite Problems: |
Tapeworms and pinworms are the most common intestinal parasites of pet mice and rats. They often go undetected unless present in large numbers. Signs of infection may include weight loss, inactivity, inappetence, constipation, and excessive licking and chewing of the rectal area and base of the tail.
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| Chronic Murine Pneumonia (CMP) or Murine Mycoplasm: |
This is the most significant and serious bacterial infection of mice and rats. It is caused by the rather unusual bacterium, Mycoplasma pulmonis. This organism is relatively difficult to isolate because it cannot be grown in the laboratory using ordinary culture methods. This makes diagnosis of CMP more difficult except for the fact that the disease is so very common and well recognized. For this reason, CMP is usually diagnosed by signs of illness, without attempts to isolate the causative bacterium.
Signs of CMP include sniffling, sneezing, squinting, red-brown tears, rough hair coat, and labored and audible respiration. If the inner ear becomes involved, a severe, often incapacitating, head tilt usually develops. In colony situations, this disease can seriously affect the reproductive capacity of female rodents, resulting in infertility and reduced litter sizes
Because this disease tends to have a very chronic (long-lasting) course, afflicted individuals should receive antibiotic treatment as soon as the first signs are recognized. Antibiotics can be added to the drinking water for long periods. Individuals exhibiting serious, life-threatening signs must be treated aggressively with injectable antibiotics if there is any hope of helping them.
Frequently, other harmful bacteria complicate CMP. This often necessitates use of multiple antibiotics.
Elimination of the Mycoplasma pulmonis organism from infected individuals is regarded by most experts as a practical impossibility. However, early treatment reduces the severity of the disease in affected rodents. The outcome of treatment is always unpredictable because there are so many factors that can have an influence on it: individual susceptibility and resistance to the causative agent; age, physical condition and nutritional status of the individual; and the presence of complicating factors (other bacterial and/or viral infections, high levels of ammonia within the enclosure, etc).
The bacterium responsible for CMP, Mycoplasma pulmonis, is highly contagious. It may be transmitted between mother and offspring in the womb during embryonic life and by direct contact after birth. Transmission among infected and uninfected older rodents results from exchange of respiratory aerosols and sexual activity.
Rabbits, guinea pigs, and other rodents may carry the causative agent but do not manifest signs of disease
. Caution must, therefore, be exercised when allowing contact between murine rodents and these potential "carriers." Mice and rats, too, may carry the Mycoplasma pulmonis organism without showing obvious signs of illness. This is especially true of newly acquired mice and rats. This fact underscores the importance of restricting contact between mice and rats of unknown health status and those whose health status has been proven by remaining disease-free for relatively long periods.
Furthermore, all newly acquired rats and mice should be quarantined (strictly confined from other pet rodents) for at least 4-6 weeks before contact with them is permitted. Any mouse or rat exhibiting respiratory signs (no matter how mild) should never be housed with or near a healthy pet mouse or rat. The severity of CMP can be increased substantially by any agent that harms the respiratory linings.
Other bacterial and/or viral infections and exposure to the irritating chemical effects of ammonia from urine within poorly maintained enclosures can complicate CMP, making the disease far more deadly.
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| Tyzzer's Disease in rats and mice: |
This disease most often infects gerbils and mice, though rats also are susceptible. It is caused by the bacterium, Clostridium piliforme, which is usually transmitted by eating contaminated food or water.
The bacterium may survive in spore form for extremely long periods in soil, bedding and feed and is, therefore, highly resistant. Signs of infection are often inapparent but may include lethargy, rough haircoat, and sudden death.
Another form of the disease results in chronic wasting and death. Diarrhea may or may not be noted. The disease is difficult to diagnose in individuals before death. It is considerably easier to diagnose during an autopsy. Sacrificing 1-2 individuals of a large group and performing autopsies on them are recommended to successfully treat and perhaps spare he majority of the g
roup.
Specific antibiotics must be used early in the course of the disease. Some evidence indicates that his disease can be transmitted to pregnant women. Therefore, all necessary precautions should be taken to prevent this possibil
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| Miscellaneous Bacterial Infections of rats and mic: |
: A wide variety of other bacteria can cause illness n pet mice and rats. Your vet is best equipped to diagnose and prescribe medications for these diseases. Wounds (from fighting and other forms of trauma) are commonly infected with bacteria that already exist within the living quarters.
Abscesses commonly result from wounds when they have gone Unnoticed and untreated. Successful treatment of certain wounds (especially long and deep cuts) and abscesses requires veterinary intervention. Abscesses usually must be surgically opened because the relatively solid nature of rodent pus precludes lancing and draining them.
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| Sendai Virus Infection: |
In many mouse colonies, Sendai virus infection is the most significant and how mild) should never be housed with or near a healthy pet mouse or rat. Nursing mice and those being weaned are the most commonly and seriously infected. Adult mice may become infected but rarely show signs.
Signs of the infection include labored breathing, rough haircoat, weight loss and death. Bacterial infections complicate the picture and usually increase the death rate. There is no specific treatment for this disease. A commercial vaccine is available but it is only of practical use with large colonies of susceptible mice.
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| Sialodacryoadenitis: |
Sialodacryoadenitis is a highly contagious viral disease of rats and recently weaned mice. Initial signs include squinting, blinking and rubbing of the eyes. Later, sneezing and swelling in the neck region are noted. As the disease progresses, swellings below or around one or both eyes, bulging of the eyes, red-brown tears, and self-trauma to the eyes are noted. Respiratory signs also may occur.
There is no specific treatment for this viral disease. This virus is very unlikely to infect pet rats and mice unless they were acquired from a colony with this infection already established within its members.
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| Mousepox (Ectromelia): |
Mousepox is a highly contagious viral disease of mice that was only recently recognized in the United States. The mouse is the only natural host of the virus. The acute (sudden onset) form of the disease affects the entire body.
Clinical signs include lethargy, hunched posture, rough haircoat, diarrhea, inflammation of the eye membranes, swelling of the face and legs, and death. Another form of the disease results in a body-wide skin rash. Soon, the skin becomes swollen and ulcerated. Because of the resulting pain and discomfort, afflicted mice begin to chew on themselves. This behavior often becomes obsessive, resulting in amputation of appendages. There is no specific treatment for this viral disease. This virus is very unlikely to infect pet mice unless they were acquired from a colony with this infection already established within it members.
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page was last Updated: 03/06/2010 12:24:40 |
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