My mouse overheated, now hyperventilating with odd fur. Is it sick?

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.

Hi, sorry to hear about your mouse. It is possible he has a respiratory illness that is common in rats. This needs to be treated with an antibiotic. i recommend taking him to an exotic vet or a vet than can provide such a small dose of antibiotics. You can make sure he is warm because something they get cold and try o keep his nasal passages open. Good luck, I hope this helps!

This sounds as if your mouse is having some sort of seizure like episode either from an underlying neurological issue or an episode of low blood sugar. If Rainy is eating well and acting normally otherwise I would not be too concerned. If however, Rainy is having other issues, I would recommend taking him to your veterinarian to be examined and to see if there is anything you can do for him. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

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.

If your mouse is very lethargic and feels hot to the touch or feverish, it'd be best to seek vet care ASAP. it is possible there is an underlying illness or infection present, which should be examined and treated as needed by a vet in person. Keeping the mouse warm and hydrated as much as possible may help, but if it is already this ill, care is needed.

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.

Hello, Many animals can be seen visibly "dreaming", or moving in their sleep. If the episodes are associated with uncontrolled urination or defecation, confusion or change in behavior, then I would be concerned about possible seizure activity and recommend a vet check. If you don't notice any of those things paired with the episodes, and Urie is otherwise bright, playful, eating well, and not showing any changes in respiration, I would be more inclined to call it normal sleep activity. Upper respiratory disease is very common in mice, so you are not wrong to be concerned. If Urie begins to sneeze, wheeze, experience nasal discharge, lethargy, or unwillingness to eat, then I would recommend a vet check for him. Many mice carry the bacteria for upper respiratory infections naturally and it can flare up when the immune system is compromised by other disease or stress. These secondary bacterial infection "flare ups" require a course of antibiotics for treatment. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!