What do domestic mice die from? - briefly
Domestic mice most often die from respiratory infections, neoplastic disease, and age‑related organ failure, especially when housing or nutrition is suboptimal. Stress, overcrowding, and exposure to toxins also contribute markedly to mortality.
What do domestic mice die from? - in detail
Domestic mice succumb to a limited set of health problems that can be grouped into intrinsic and extrinsic categories. Intrinsic factors include age‑related decline, hereditary disorders, and neoplastic growths. Senescence typically manifests after 18–24 months, with organ failure and reduced immune competence. Genetic abnormalities such as dwarfism or coat‑color mutations may predispose individuals to cardiac defects, renal insufficiency, or electrolyte imbalances. Tumors, especially lymphoma, mast cell neoplasia, and mammary adenocarcinoma, are frequent in older specimens and often present with palpable masses, weight loss, or respiratory distress.
Extrinsic causes arise from the environment, nutrition, and infectious agents. Respiratory infections—most commonly Mycoplasma pulmonis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and viral agents—produce sneezing, nasal discharge, and dyspnea, rapidly leading to hypoxia if untreated. Gastrointestinal disturbances, including bacterial enteritis (Salmonella, Clostridium spp.) and parasitic infestations (Giardia, Syphacia spp.), cause diarrhoea, dehydration, and electrolyte loss. Metabolic disorders such as hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and fatty liver disease stem from inappropriate feeding regimens; excessive high‑fat diets or abrupt dietary changes precipitate hepatic steatosis and fatal liver failure.
Environmental stressors contribute significantly to mortality. Inadequate cage ventilation, extreme temperature fluctuations, and exposure to toxic substances (e.g., phenoxyethanol, certain cleaning agents, rodenticides) induce acute poisoning or chronic organ damage. Physical injury—bite wounds, falls, or cage‑related trauma—often results in hemorrhage or septic complications. Breeding complications, including dystocia, uterine prolapse, and neonatal cannibalism, account for high loss rates in reproductive colonies.
Preventive measures focus on rigorous husbandry: maintaining temperature between 20–24 °C, providing fresh bedding, ensuring balanced nutrition with appropriate protein, fat, and fiber content, and implementing a strict health‑monitoring program. Regular veterinary examinations, prompt isolation of sick individuals, and prophylactic parasite control reduce infectious mortality. Genetic screening of breeding stock lowers the incidence of hereditary disease, while careful monitoring of pregnant females minimizes reproductive losses.