My mouse is inactive and breathing heavily. What's wrong, how to help?

Hello, I'm sorry to hear your mouse is unwell. Unfortunately this sounds like an emergency if he cannot breathe. Is it possible he aspirated water into his lungs during the bath? Does he seem more calm after some time has passed after his bath? Will he take treats from you? If he is still having trouble breathing, or is getting more lethargic, I would encourage you to take him to the vet now. Bundle him up with a blanket in his carrier to keep him warm and dry. I hope this helps, and that Ghost is feeling better soon.

Enrofloxacin would work best in these cases. Any veterinarian can diagnose and treat such a presentation, which is likely to be caused by a respiratory tract infection/inflammation. I would strongly recommend a check up at your local veterinarian.

Hello, and thank you for your question. It sounds like Bueller may have an upper respiratory tract infection, which is very common in rats. I would recommend taking him to the vet within the next 24 hours, especially since he is so lethargic. They can prescribe appropriate antibiotic medication, and offer other supportive medications if necessary. In the meantime, you can try using a humidifier to help ease his congestion. I would also ensure you are not using pine or cedar based bedding as the fumes from this type of bedding can worsen respiratory issues. Carefresh is a reliable alternative. I hope this helps, and that Bueller is feeling better soon.

I am sorry to hear about your mouse! If you aren't already using a bedding made of recycled paper, such as Carefresh bedding, that is unscented, I would recommend switching to this type. Other beddings can sometimes cause irritation to the nasal passages. If you have any air fresheners or scented candles in the room where your mouse lives, I would remove these as well. If the mouse continues to sneeze, has a green or yellow discharge from the nose or eyes, seems lethargic, or has decreased appetite, or a puffed up appearance to the fur then a visit to a veterinarian is recommended. You can try putting a humidifier in the same room as your mouse or bringing the mouse's cage into a bathroom while you run a steamy shower for 10 minutes to give a steam treatment to help keep the respiratory passages moist.

Thanks for reaching out. Mice with respiratory problems are more likely to be viral than bacterial but mycoplasma is a possibility. There are no home remedies as systemic antibiotics are needed, but if mycoplasma, cure is rare necessitating periodic antibiotic treatments. A veterinary visit should be scheduled to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.

He might be suffering from a severe respiratory infection, which is the most common medical condition in rats. you need to take him to the vet urgently in order to get treated, he will need antibiotics and medications to help him breath.

Thanks for reaching out about Peanut and including photos. Lethargy is just a general sign of multiple illnesses. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan, even if just palliative. Offering water via a syringe could help combat dehydrate, and likewise, softened/wetted food could give calories. This sounds like a respiratory problem, whether infectious (bacterial, viral), metabolic or heart problems, needs to be determined. Good luck.