What's causing my male mouse's sudden scabby rash and hair loss?

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The condition you are describing sounds a lot like ulcerative dermatitis, a condition that is very common in mice, though the cause is unknown. The condition is characterized by very itchy wounds that form crusts, but unfortunately the cause is unknown. It may be caused by stress or an autoimmune disorder, but these are merely theories. Fortunately, the wounds often heal on their own - you can trim the hind nails carefully and apply SSD (silver sulfadiazene) ointment to the area twice a day. If the wounds become severe or very deep, you may need to seek veterinary care for pain medication.

Thanks for reaching out. Scratching to the point of bleeding and wounds, is likely fur mites, which are difficult to see with the naked eye. A veterinary visit is recommended to take a skin scraping and examine under the microscope. If positive, both mice need to be treated. Good luck.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is a little difficult to see in the photo, but there is what appears to be a small area of scabbing and hairloss, both of which are patchy on the hip. This can be caused by a skin infection, certain cancers, fungal infections, or skin mites which are very common in hamsters. These mites live within the hair follicles rather than cage surfaces, so cleaning the cage will not get rid of any of the possible causes. Mochi should be seen by a vet who can perform some quick tests on this area of skin to determine the underlying cause and start her on the appropriate treatment. In the meantime, to keep her more comfortable, you can gently trim her nails to keep her from traumatizing herself as she scratches. I hope this helps!

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!

This could be local infection or trauma caused by a cagemate. Separate him if you can and see if the hair loss resolves. Use as dust free a bedding as possible to prevent sneezing. Monitor for lethargy, nasal discharge or decreased appetite. He may need to be physically examined by your veterinarian to diagnose respiratory infection and have antibiotics dispensed.

First of all, Maizy looks more like a rat in the picture, unless she is an extremely large mouse. the lesions looks like a wound at the moment, but if it started as a lump it could be an abscess or a tumor. you will have to take her to an exotic vet specialist to get this checked and treated, if it is an infection she will need a course of antibiotics in order to heal properly.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Mouse! Thanks for the pictures! The most common reason for an itchy red rash in that location is allergies from the environment or from food. It isn't an emergency so he can be seen when ever you can get him in and your Vet is free. Steroids and antibiotics tend to clear it up as long as the underlying cause is found. Sometimes changing the food protein really can help if it is a food allergy. I wish you and Mouse the best!