Panda mouse

Mammary and subcutaneous tumors

SignsA lump in the armpit, belly or groin grows within days. May chew at it and bleed

PreventionPalpate the whole body with your fingertips once a week. See a vet while it is small to discuss removal

Allergic dermatitis

SignsIntense scratching of the neck, shoulders and behind the ears. Hair loss, scabs, redness

PreventionAvoid softwood bedding; use paper. Watch the skin after any food change

Parasitic dermatitis (mites)

SignsSevere itching, dandruff, scabs on the ear edges, thinning fur

PreventionQuarantine new animals for 2 weeks. Use only unopened packages of bedding

Hypothermia

SignsSluggish, cold body, curled up and unresponsive, slow breathing

PreventionKeep the room above 20°C in winter. Keep a heater and thermometer in place at all times, including at night

Respiratory infection

SignsSneezing, clicking breathing sounds, hunched back, squinting

PreventionReduce ammonia and dust. Clean twice a week. Avoid sudden temperature changes

Bite-wound abscess

SignsSwelling on the rump, back or tail base that discharges pus when touched. Common after fights

PreventionHouse males alone. Check cage mates for wounds daily and separate them at the first fight

Bite wounds between males

PreventionKeep males one per cage. Introduce new animals across a divider; never force cohabitation

First aidSeparate immediately. Rinse the wound with saline and press bleeding with gauze. Deep wounds on the rump need a vet the same day

Tail skin degloving

PreventionNever lift by the tail. Scoop up the whole body with both hands. Use a wheel with no gaps

First aidDo not touch the exposed tail; cover with clean gauze. Press to stop bleeding. See a vet the same day to prevent necrosis

Limb fractures

PreventionAvoid wire floors and ladders. Handle at a height where a fall is harmless; keep cage levels low

First aidIf dragging or dangling a leg, do not splint. Place in a small box and keep still. See a vet the same day

Trapped in the wheel

PreventionChoose a solid, enclosed wheel with no gap at the axle or stand. Never use a spoked wheel that legs can slip through

First aidDo not pull the leg out by force; stop the wheel and dismantle it. If there is swelling or bleeding, see a vet the same day

Salmonellosis

RouteHand to mouth after touching droppings, e.g. during cage cleaning

PreventionWash hands with soap after cleaning. Do not wash the cage in the kitchen

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact with areas of hair loss

PreventionHandle animals with hair loss or dandruff with gloves, and wash hands after touching them

Leptospirosis

RouteUrine contacting cuts or mucous membranes

PreventionWear gloves if you have cuts on your hands. Seal urine-soiled bedding before disposal

Mouse allergy

RouteInhaling urine, dander or hair

PreventionWear a mask when cleaning. See a doctor if you develop sneezing or asthma symptoms

Food

• Mouse pellets as the staple, about 1 teaspoon per day
• Vegetables such as komatsuna and carrot, a fingertip-sized piece 2–3 times a week
• High-fat seeds such as sunflower seeds only as treats, 1–2 seeds a week

Water

• Use a water bottle and refill daily. Check every morning that the nozzle works
• Tiny animals dehydrate fast. If not drinking, see a vet within half a day

Toys & play

• Enclosed wheel at least 15 cm in diameter
• Paper tunnels, toilet-paper tubes
• Chew sticks or hay balls (to prevent overgrown teeth)

Nest, bed & hideout

• Small ceramic or wooden nest box with a small entrance
• Plenty of paper towel or cotton-free nesting material

Bedding & litter

• Paper or corn-cob bedding at least 3 cm deep
• Softwood shavings and cotton cause dermatitis and ingestion
• Use non-clumping litter. Replace soiled areas daily

Cage / housing material

Wire mesh with gaps of 5 mm or less, or a plastic storage box or glass tank with ventilation holes

Size & space

At least 30 cm wide for one; 45 cm or wider for two or more

Layout

• Nest box in a dark back corner, wheel on the opposite side
• Place the food dish and water bottle away from the nest box
• Keep levels under 5 cm high. Use deep bedding to cushion falls

Placement notes

• Avoid windowsills, spots directly under the air conditioner, and cold floor drafts
• Place it in a room and at a height that cats and dogs cannot reach

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Free-roaming time is unnecessary; escapes are common, so it is not recommended
• Provide exercise with a wheel and tunnels inside the cage
• If taken out, use a storage box for 10 minutes and never look away

Temperature & humidity

Temperature22–26°C. Becomes sluggish below 20°C

Humidity40–60%. Condensation and damp bedding cause dermatitis

Summer & winter

• Summer: above 28°C, place ice packs outside the cage and ensure airflow
• Winter: panel heater under half the cage; keep above 20°C at night too

Nail trimming

Usually unnecessary. If they grow and snag, wrap in a towel and trim only the tips with small-animal clippers

Brushing, skin & coat care

Not needed. Instead, once a week feel the whole body on your hand to check for lumps and hair loss

Other care

Check the incisors for overgrowth. See a vet if eating looks difficult. Sand baths are unnecessary

Protection from predators

• Never keep in the same room as cats, dogs or ferrets
• Always lock the cage lid. Close windows that crows could enter
• Check window screens to keep out mosquitoes and insects

Foreign-body ingestion

Chews and swallows cotton, cloth threads and plastic. Use paper nesting only; if droppings stop and appetite drops, see a vet the same day

Being stepped on

Do not put it on the floor. If it escapes, stay still without looking down at your feet, then sit and call it over. If stepped on, see a vet immediately

Getting pinched

Can be caught in cage doors, lids and drawers. Check where the body is before closing doors; lower lids slowly

Falls

Will leap off your hand. Handle while sitting on the floor at a low height. After a fall of 30 cm or more, check leg movement and see a vet the same day

Escape

Can squeeze through a 5 mm gap. Lock the door; handle outside the cage only inside a storage box. If it escapes, close the room and lure it with food and a tunnel

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and lower your hand toward the floor or cage bedding
2. Gently cup the body from behind with your free hand
3. Rest your finger on the floor and withdraw your hand the moment it lets go
4. Once released, return it to the nest box and leave it alone for a while

After the release

Wash the wound with running water and soap, then disinfect. See a doctor if it becomes red and swollen or you develop a fever

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Age, sex, number of cage mates, bedding and food type, photos of droppings and vomit, changes in lump size

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Breathing: watch the flanks. Normal is 100–200 breaths per minute
• Heartbeat: rest a finger on the chest. Normal is around 500 beats per minute
• Consciousness: blow gently on the nose and watch for whisker or ear movement

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for 3 minutes. Do not peek
• For bleeding from a nail or tail tip, press on flour or cornstarch
• If bleeding continues for 5 minutes, keep pressing and go to the vet

Transport

• Line a small box with a towel; put hand warmers on the outside of the box
• Keep it dark and still, and go to a hospital you can reach within 30 minutes