Monaro's Mouse Pages
Treating mites in mice
Above: Monza's ears were scratched to ribbons when I first adopted him due to a bad mite infestation, shown here scabby and healing up, they were left torn and crinkly.
When I first adopted Monza
mouse he had a terrible mite infestation, he had bald patches, was scratching
like mad, and his ears were torn to ribbons.
On arrival I put him in the quarantine cage, however I had two cages on the go
for him so that I swapped him into the fresh cage every day in order to help
break the cycle of mites hatching and re-infesting.
First I did everything with my healthy mouse Monaro BEFORE handling Monza, which
I did last thing every evening before going to bed, as this meant once finished
my clothes could ho straight in the wash (hot wash) and any mites that may have
got on me didn't spread around the house.
• remove mouse from cage, socialise, free range was on the table only (which I
wiped with disinfectant and mite spray afterwards), not near soft furnishing
like sofa or curtains, carpets etc where mites falling off him could lodge.
• next apply spray on mite treatment, I gently covered from his neck forwards to
his head with my hand and sprayed his body, this kept his eyes clear from the
spray. You can also use spot-on treatment both available from pet shops or vets.
Distract mouse after spraying to stop him grooming immediately to give it time
to work.
• I also applied aloe vera and tea tree oil gel to the sore spots (shoulders
were raw and bloody as were his ears). This soothes the wounds, has an
antiseptic effect and the tea tree oil also deters the mites. This all helps
reduce itching and scratching.
• I'd play with him and give high value food treats to delay him grooming it off
straight away.
• once finished put in the clean cage.
• empty the bedding of the dirty cage (ALL of it), and any uneaten food, into a
plastic bag, tie up and put in outside bin immediately, being careful not to
drop any in the house. Yes I mean EVERY day for a week. It is useless treating
the animal if you don't break the cycle in its environment too.
• wash all toys in hot soapy water and spray with mite spray.
• put any wooden chew toys into the freezer overnight to kill any mites or eggs
in them.
• wash cage with cage disinfectant, then spray with mite spray: ALL surfaces,
bars and even underside of the lid etc. EVERYWHERE!
• when dry, bed down with clean paper bedding. I used shredded paper for
substrate and shredded kitchen roll or tissue for nesting. Mist it all lightly
with mite spray and allow to dry.
• wipe down table, put clothes in the wash and take a shower/bath.
• do NOT touch any other pets or even sit on the sofa or carpet until you are
changed or mites may get into the house from your clothes.
• next day replace clean toys and take the wooden chew toys from freezer and put
in the fresh cage ready.
• repeat every day for the first week to break the cycle.
• after, repeat at one week intervals for a couple of weeks to be sure.
It cleared up Monza's mites and itching in a week, and his ears healed up nicely
although they remain crinkly. His fur grew back nice and glossy.
Yes he objected to the spraying etc the first few days but forgave me
afterwards. Just be quick and don't restrain for too long and reward afterwards
with tasty treats. He doesn't hold it against me. :)
