Cairo spiny mouse

Diabetes / fatty liver

SignsExcessive drinking and urination, weight loss, cataracts, dull coat

PreventionLimit high-fat, high-sugar foods (seeds, fruit); feed a low-fat, more herbivorous diet

Skin tears / self-biting

SignsSkin peeling back, scabs, chewing its own body from stress

PreventionDo not grip firmly. Avoid fights within the group; provide several hideouts

Tail shedding (autotomy)

SignsTail skin slips off exposing bone; dries and turns black

PreventionNever grab the tail. Check cage gaps and the wheel design

Respiratory infection

SignsSneezing, nasal discharge, clicking sounds, rapid breathing, hunched posture

PreventionReduce dust and ammonia from bedding. Avoid temperature swings and drafts

Parasites / dermatitis

SignsScratching, dandruff, hair loss, shedding of spiny hairs

PreventionQuarantine and observe new animals. Change bedding weekly

Tumors

SignsLump under the skin, swollen belly, sudden weight loss

PreventionWeigh weekly and feel over the whole body. See a vet early for any lump

Tail amputation

PreventionNever grab the tail. Scoop the whole body with both hands or guide it into a cup to lift

First aidApply pressure to the cut end, keep it dry to prevent infection. See a vet the same day

Skin tear

PreventionDo not pull the skin on the back when holding. Remove cage protrusions and broken containers

First aidApply pressure to bleeding. Gently return peeled skin to its place, cover with gauze and see a vet

Fall

PreventionStrong jumper. Keep cage height low; if it struggles in your hand, handle it close to the floor

First aidCheck movement, breathing and gait; rest in a small box. If it drags a leg, see a vet the same day

Bites from cage mates

PreventionDo not house males together. Provide more hideouts and feeding spots than animals

First aidRinse the wound and apply pressure. See a vet if swollen or oozing pus. Separate them if fighting continues

Salmonellosis

RouteContact with feces, food dishes, cage

PreventionWash hands after care. Do not wash the cage in the kitchen

Ringworm (dermatophytosis)

RouteContact with skin or fur

PreventionIf hair loss or ring-shaped lesions appear, handle with gloves and see a vet

Mite infestation

RouteMites on the body bite people

PreventionQuarantine new animals. Keep bedding clean

Bite wound infection

RouteBite wounds

PreventionRinse the wound under running water; seek medical care if it swells

Food

• Low-fat small-animal pellets (mouse/rat formula)
• A small amount of vegetables (leafy greens, carrot) daily
• Insects (crickets, etc.) a few times a week; seeds only in tiny amounts

Water

• Provide both a water bottle and a shallow dish
• Change daily. A sudden rise in drinking is a sign of illness

Toys & play

• Solid-surface wheel (20 cm or more in diameter, no gaps)
• Rocks, terracotta pots, driftwood (for climbing and hiding)
• Paper tunnels, chew sticks

Nest, bed & hideout

• At least one nest box per animal, plus several hideouts
• Let them shred hay or paper to build nests

Bedding & litter

• Paper bedding or sand (doubles as a sand bath)
• Low urine output; dry sand makes hygiene easy
• Change bedding weekly; check the sand bath daily

Cage / housing material

Glass tank or acrylic cage. Wire cages allow escape through gaps

Size & space

Floor area of 60 × 40 cm or more for 2–4 animals

Layout

• Use rocks and shelves at different heights for a 3D layout
• Place nest box, feeding spot and sand bath apart
• Use a mesh lid for ventilation and secure it

Placement notes

• Avoid direct sunlight and air-conditioner drafts
• Do not place on a shelf where it could fall

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Free-roaming in the room carries a high escape risk and is basically unnecessary
• Provide exercise through a 3D cage layout
• When handling, sit on the floor and stay low

Temperature & humidity

Temperature22–28°C. Falls ill below 18°C

Humidity40–60%. High humidity causes skin and respiratory disease

Summer & winter

• In summer, keep below 30°C with air conditioning and add a marble slab
• In winter, warm part of the cage with a panel heater and block drafts

Nail trimming

Worn down naturally on rocks and terracotta pots. If overgrown, ask the vet to trim

Brushing, skin & coat care

Keep a sand bath available to remove oil and dirt

Other care

Teeth grow continuously. Provide chew sticks and check tooth length monthly

Protection from predators

• Do not keep in the same room as dogs, cats or ferrets
• Secure the lid firmly to keep cats out
• In summer, keep out mosquitoes and flies with screens

Foreign-body ingestion

May swallow bedding or cloth threads. Do not use cotton nesting material. If no stool or the belly is bloated, see a vet the same day

Being stepped on

Small and fast, so easily stepped on. Do not let it out in the room; if it escapes, watch your feet as you walk

Getting pinched

A tail caught in a lid or door will break off. Check where every animal is before closing. If caught, apply pressure and see a vet

Falls

May leap from your hand and break a bone. Sit on the floor to handle and carry it in a cup. If it moves oddly after a fall, see a vet

Escape

Expert at jumping and squeezing through gaps. Secure the lid and keep gaps under 5 mm. If it escapes, place food and a nest box near the cage and wait

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and wait for the grip to loosen
2. Put your hand back into the cage and rest it on the floor
3. Wait for it to let go on its own
4. Once it lets go, let it hide in the nest box and keep quiet

After the release

Rinse the wound under running water and apply pressure. If swollen or warm, seek medical care

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Weight, water intake, diet, condition of cage mates. Take photos. Confirm an exotic-animal hospital in advance

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Check response to your voice and a light touch
• Check breathing by chest movement (80–200 per minute)
• Place a finger on the chest to check the heartbeat (about 300 per minute)

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for 3–5 minutes
• For tail bleeding, press on the base side
• If it does not stop, keep pressing while transporting

Transport

• Line a small carrier with paper bedding and keep it dark
• Add a hand warmer wrapped in cloth and carry it quietly