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what does it mean if a wild mouse has patchy fur and acts lethargic.?
Does anyone know what it could mean if I found a mouse in the basement and it had patchy fur and acted lethargic? I scooped it into a box without any problems of it trying to run and then released it elsewhere outside. What could cause him to look/act like that? Could it be the later stages of rabies?
There are many possible explanations. Rabies is uncommon in rodents for reasons not entirely understood, but which are probably this: 1. Mice are very small. If a mouse were bitten by a rabid animal, it would likely die from the wound, if it weren't simply eaten.
2. Mice have high metabolisms. If a mouse did have rabies, it would likely develop quickly and kil the animal quickly.
In fact, groundhogs are the only rodent you should expect to see with rabies, according to http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/rabies.htm
Wet-tail is possible, but not entirely likely, as it is known as a disease of rodents kept in cages, particularly hamsters. One of the main symptoms is diarrhea, and hair loss is typically around the anus and hind legs due to fur caking with feces, as seen here: http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jwW7eRoiH7o/STmInC-qbWI/AAAAAAAAAq0/VD3pMLKCCKo/image_thumb%5B42%5D.png?imgmax=800
Skin parasites are a likely possibility. Mites, such as mange, can cause lesions, and hair loss.
http://www.rmca.org/Articles/bugs.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mange
In fact, I would be very careful about the mouse, and your basement (where there is one mouse, there are more). While some mites are species-specific, many types of mite will attack pets and even humans, and may carry diseases. The Black Plague was spread by mites from their rat hosts, remember? Be sure to wash your hands and look out for any small tick-like bugs!
However, because lethargy was a symptom, the parasite may be lice, which are more species-specific than mites, and unlikely to attack you or pets. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=18+1804&aid=2419 Of course, lethargy is also a symptom of dying, so you don't want to rule anything out because your sick mouse is lethargic =P
Another explanation, less likely because you probably would have thought of it if it were possible; your cat attacked it, pulling out fur and weakening it, but let it escape because cats are fickle.
I think lice fit the symptoms best. You should be able to see them with the naked eye, so look closely at your mouse for parasites. If they're there, your question is answered!
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