Although more popular as laboratory research animals, mice and rats are occasionally kept as pets. They are relatively easy to care for, and most have gentle dispositions, making them easy to handle. The mouse, Mus musculus, and the rat, Rattus norvegicus, originated from the Asian continent, but soon spread with man throughout the world. They are both nocturnal creatures, becoming most active during the twilight hours. However, some mice may choose to be quite active during the day as well. Both have hairless tails, a fact that helps differentiate the mouse from its rodent cousin, the gerbil. While most pet rats are pure white or white with black or brown “hoods,” pet mice can be found in a variety of colors, including white, black, brown, and tan. The captive life span for mice and rats is around 2 to 4 years.
Restraint Mice and Rats
Mice and rats are usually quite gentle and can be handled without much trouble. Feistier pets can be picked up and restrained by grasping the base of the tail with one hand and as you lift, encircling the back and ribcage with the other hand. For mice, you can also use your thumb and index finger to grasp the scruff of the neck. Be ready: Most rodents will urinate and/or defecate when handled.
Reproduction Mice and Rats
Male mice and rats can be differentiated from females on the basis of their external genitalia and by the distance between the anal and genital openings (longer in males). Female mice and rats experience a heat cycle every 4 to 6 days. Once they have been bred, the gestation period is approximately 21 days. Litter size normally ranges from six to twelve. Baby mice and rats, like other rodents, are born hairless and blind. New litters should not be disturbed for at least 3 days after birth. Weaning occurs at 3 to 4 weeks, with the young reaching sexual maturity close to 2 months of age.
Preventive Health Care Mice and Rats
Strict sanitation, environmental control, and high-quality rations must be given top priority in order to prevent disease in mice and rats. Monitor behavior, eating habits, elimination habits, and physical characteristics closely and notify your veterinarian of any noticeable changes.
Diseases and Disorders of Chinchillas
Table 1 shows selected diseases and disorders seen in chinchillas. If your chinchilla shows signs of illness, do not give it any medications unless prescribed by your veterinarian. Remember that with the appearance of any clinical signs, a qualified veterinarian should be allowed to make a definitive diagnosis. Identifying and treating diseases in their early stages are the keys to successful treatment and cure.
| Disease or disorder | Clinical signs | Treatment and comments |
| Bacterial enteritis | Diarrhea; listlessness; dehydration; rectal prolapse | Nonspecific, including antibiotics, fluid replacement, and increases in dietary fiber; often fatal condition; usually due to unsanitary living conditions, poor diets, or abrupt dietary changes |
| Pneumonia | Breathing difficulties; swollen neck; nasal discharge; depression | Treat with antibiotics and fluids; improve housing conditions, including ventilation and temperature |
| Fur chewing | Fur on lower portion of body short, “lion’s mane” appearance (due to self mutilation); moth-eaten appearance (barbering by cage mate) | Possible causes include boredom, poor nutrition, stress due to poor husbandry, heredity, hormonal disorders, and/or fungi; separate cage mates to prevent barbering; offer fatty acid and/or zinc supplements |
Malocclusion (tooth overgrowth) | Drooling; weight loss; loss of appetite; crooked, curling teeth; runny eyes; bleeding from mouth | Trim teeth under sedation; allow access to chew blocks or other chewing material to help “file down” teeth |
| Paraphimosis | Male infertility; irritation and swelling of penis and prepuce due to hair wrapped around these structures | Manually remove ring using sterile lubricant; check for recurrence monthly |
Heat prostration | Rapid, open-mouth breathing; extreme weakness | Immerse in cool water; seek veterinary care immediately; can occur when environmental temperatures exceed 80°F, especially with high humidity |
| Metal toxicity | Weakness; weight loss; seizures | Caused by excess consumption of lead and/or zinc; usually secondary to chewing on galvanized metal or objects containing lead |
| Abscesses | Swellings on or beneath skin | Surgical removal or drainage; treat with antibiotics; usually secondary to injuries or bite wounds |
| Bacterial encephalitis | Seizures; incoordination | Caused by poor sanitation or food contamination; poor prognosis, even with treatment with antibiotics |
| Ringworm | Hair loss, dermatitis | Oral antifungal drugs; antifungal agent added to dust bath |
| Bloat | Reluctance to move; recumbency; lethargy loss of appetite | Decompress bloat using stomach tube; caused by overeating fruit or green feed; can also occur secondary to Enteritis |
| Constipation | Straining; unable to defecate | Increase fiber in diet; administer laxative (i.e., mineral oil) to facilitate passage |
| Conjunctivitis | Red, irritated runny eyes | Caused by upper respiratory infection or irritation from dust; treat with antibiotics (oral and/or topical); reduce the number of dust baths offered each week |
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