Diarrhea

This is often caused by the mouse eating more green food than it is accustomed to. Common culprits are things like lettuce, cabbage and broccoli.

Nerves can also cause diarrhoea in the short term, but this should only occur when the mouse is being handled/upset. On other occasions it will be caused by bacteria (ie food poisoning) or other infection, eg coccidiosis. If your mice are affected, keep them warm and make sure plenty of fresh water is available.

Take your vet's advice on perhaps adding a rehydration solution to the water. Cut all greenstuff out of the diet for the moment. Many mouse breeders swear by Arrowroot as a traditional remedy for diarrhoea; you can feed the mice arrowroot biscuits (sold for humans) or arrowroot powder mixed in water.

Arrowroot is a cooking ingredient that you should be able to find at your supermarket or grocery store. Ask the staff for help- it's used for thickening sauces. Try a pharmacy if the store doesn't have it. If cutting out greenstuff and feeding arrowroot does not produce results within a day or so, and the mice appear unwell, then contact your veterinary surgeon as treatment will be needed. Probiotics can help to cure diarrhoea, whatever the cause.

These are friendly bacteria which live in the gut and help good digestion. The best ones are found in powder form and added to the water, eg Entrodex - ask your vet if they sell a similar product.

A less good but easy to find alternative is live natural yoghurt - offer the mouse a small bowl. It is important to encourage the mouse to drink, and to keep her hydrated - ask the pharmacist for some rehydration solution for humans, eg Dioralyte, or add a tiny bit of sugar and salt to the water.