How can you treat a sick mouse?

How can you treat a sick mouse? - briefly

Isolate the mouse, assess clinical signs, and apply targeted therapy—antibiotics for bacterial infections, fluid supplementation for dehydration, and analgesics for pain. Keep the cage clean, monitor recovery, and modify treatment based on response.

How can you treat a sick mouse? - in detail

When a laboratory or pet mouse shows signs of illness, immediate isolation prevents spread to cage mates. Observe clinical signs—lethargy, ruffled fur, weight loss, respiratory distress, diarrhea, or abnormal behavior—to guide further action.

1. Initial assessment

   • Record temperature (normal 36‑38 °C) using a rectal probe.
   • Measure body weight; a loss of >10 % signals severe compromise.
   • Examine eyes, ears, and nasal passages for discharge.
   • Palpate abdomen for distension or masses.

2. Supportive care

   • Provide a warm, quiet environment; ambient temperature 28‑30 °C reduces metabolic stress.
   • Offer high‑calorie liquid diet (e.g., 5 % dextrose solution) via syringe if oral intake is reduced.
   • Administer subcutaneous sterile saline (1 ml/10 g body weight) to correct dehydration.
   • Monitor hydration status by skin turgor and capillary refill.

3. Diagnostic work‑up

   • Collect fecal samples for parasitology and bacterial culture.
   • Perform ear swab or nasal lavage for viral PCR if respiratory signs predominate.
   • Conduct blood draw from the tail vein for complete blood count and serum chemistry; look for leukocytosis, anemia, or elevated liver enzymes.
   • Radiograph the thorax if dyspnea persists to detect pneumonia or pulmonary edema.

4. Targeted therapy

   • Bacterial infections: Empirical broad‑spectrum antibiotic (e.g., enrofloxacin 10 mg/kg subcutaneously once daily) pending culture results; adjust based on susceptibility.
   • Parasitic infestations: Administer ivermectin 0.2 mg/kg subcutaneously for mites; fenbendazole 50 mg/kg orally for gastrointestinal nematodes.
   • Fungal disease: Treat systemic mycoses with itraconazole 10 mg/kg orally once daily for 14 days.
   • Viral conditions: No specific antivirals; supportive care remains primary.

5. Monitoring and adjustment

   • Re‑weigh daily; aim for stable or increasing weight.
   • Re‑measure temperature every 12 hours; fever >39 °C warrants reassessment of antimicrobial regimen.
   • Document clinical progress; discontinue ineffective drugs after 48 hours if no improvement.

6. Humane considerations

   • If the mouse fails to regain weight, shows persistent hypothermia, or exhibits uncontrollable pain, euthanasia with CO₂ inhalation or pentobarbital injection is ethically justified.
   • Ensure disposal follows institutional biosafety protocols to avoid pathogen transmission.

By following systematic isolation, thorough evaluation, appropriate supportive measures, and evidence‑based pharmacologic treatment, most health issues in mice can be resolved or managed effectively.