Why is my pet mouse squeaking, hiding, and not eating? Is he sick?

If Coconut is producing a new type of sound he might be uncomfortable or painful somewhere. He might also be stressed (i.e. changes within his cage, change of position within the house,..) If he is inappetent os start showing other symptoms (diarrhea, reduced level of energy, vocalization getting more intense) I recommend to have him checked by the vet to make sure everything is fine heath wise. Please post again on the forum if you would like to discuss it further. I hope my answer was helpful.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Sneezing can be a sign of a respiratory infection. A handful of different components can lead to respiratory infections in mice, whether viruses or bacteria. Mycoplasmal infections, for example, often occur in mice. When mice have respiratory infections, they often display cold-like clues, including problems breathing normally and runny noses. If your mouse is breathing in a manner that seems inordinately loud, a respiratory infection could be responsible. Other typical symptoms of respiratory infections in mice are weight loss, reduced desire to eat, exhaustion, barely moving around and messy looking fur. The bedding in Popcorn's enclosure could be the reason for her persistent sneezing as well. Ask your veterinarian for types of bedding that are less dusty and cause less irritation to the nostrils. If the sneezing is the result of any illness, your veterinarian can provide treatment options. Remember, mice, like other pets, require regular vet checkups regardless of the presence of signs of illness. Take your mice to the vet a minimum of once annually. If she sneezes or seems sick, go to the vet immediately, even if she just had her yearly appointment. I hope this is helpful!

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.

Thank you for your question, and I am sorry to hear about Gus Gus. I would ensure that the bedding is clean and dry, and that the temperatures in your house are not too cold. A general rule of thumb that I use is around 70-75F for mice. Please ensure there are no drafts as well. I would also recommend checking to make sure he is eating normally (this can be hard in mice as sometimes they will cache food in different areas) and producing urine and feces. If you have done all of these things and Gus Gus still isn't behaving normally, I would recommend that you have him evaluated by a veterinarian. There are a number of clinics in your area that have clinicians who are comfortable in seeing exotic companion animals, such as mice like Gus Gus. They will perform a thorough physical exam and will make recommendations based on their findings. I hope that gives you a place to start, and I hope Gus Gus feels better soon!

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!

If she will allow, check her teeth to see if they are overgrown or maloccluded. Either may result in a decrease or loss of appetite. Soak her pellets in warm water or a bit of fruit juice to stimulate her appetite and make eating easier. If she still does not eat or continues her aberrant behavior, have her physically examined by your veterinarian to diagnose illness or injury.

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.