{"id":4215,"date":"2014-10-01T02:50:10","date_gmt":"2014-10-01T02:50:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lafeber.com\/staging\/vet\/?p=4215"},"modified":"2021-11-07T09:34:32","modified_gmt":"2021-11-07T15:34:32","slug":"basic-information-for-mice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/vet\/basic-information-for-mice\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Information Sheet: Mouse"},"content":{"rendered":"

House Mouse (Mus musculus<\/em>)<\/h1>\n

\"mouse\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Natural history<\/h2>\n

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\nThe most common pet mouse is the standard white laboratory mouse, although pet mice are not as inbred as some strains of lab mice.
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Taxonomy<\/h2>\n

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\nClass<\/strong>: Mammalia<\/em><\/p>\n

Order<\/strong>: Rodentia<\/em><\/p>\n

Suborder<\/strong>: Myomorpha<\/em><\/p>\n

Family<\/strong>: Cricetidae<\/em>-gerbils, lemmings, muskrats, New World rats and mice, voles<\/p>\n

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Breeds<\/h2>\n

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\nThe standard white lab mouse is most commonly seen, but different
\ncolors and varieties are entering the pet trade such as satin or spotted.
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Diet<\/h2>\n

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\nThe bulk of the diet should consist of a rodent block or pellet that contains a minimum crude protein content of 16% and 4-5% fat. Seed-based diets promote obesity and should be avoided.
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Husbandry<\/h2>\n

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\nMice are nocturnal and crepuscular. Females or mixed pairs do well together, but male mice tend to fight.<\/p>\n

Provide the largest cage possible made of stainless steel, durable plastic, or wire. Provide ample nesting material and deep bedding such as aspen shavings or recycled paper product. Provide enrichment in the form of tunnels, exercise wheels, nest boxes, and items to chew on old paper towel rolls or toilet paper tubes.
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Normal physiologic values<\/h2>\n

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<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Temperature<\/td>\n98.8\u00b0F<\/td>\n37.1\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pulse<\/td>\n400-700 bpm<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Respiration<\/td>\n90-200 bpm<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Body weight<\/td>\nAdult male<\/td>\n20-40 g<\/td>\nThe average mouse weighs about 30 grams.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nAdult female<\/td>\n18-35 g<\/td>\nMale mice are often twice the size of females.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mean life span<\/td>\n1-3 years<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sexual maturity<\/td>\n50-60 days<\/td>\nvaries among strains<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gestation<\/td>\n19-21 days<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Birth weight<\/td>\n1.0-1.5 g<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Litter size<\/td>\n10-12<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weaning age<\/td>\n18-21 days<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Target environmental temperature:<\/td>\n50-68\u00b0F<\/td>\nor 10-20\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Target environmental humidity:<\/td>\n45-55%<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water intake:<\/td>\n5-8 ml\/day<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Anatomy \/ physiology<\/h2>\n

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\nDental formula: Incisor 1\/1 Canine 0\/0 Premolar 0\/0 Molar 3\/3
\nThe incisors are open-rooted and continuously growing.
\nThe stomach consists of a non-glandular forestomach and a glandular stomach.
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Restraint<\/h2>\n

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\nAlthough mice rarely bite normally, they may bite when handled.
\nMice are also quick to jump. Manually restrain<\/a> mice by scruffing the neck.
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<\/a>Venipuncture<\/a><\/h2>\n

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\nThe lateral tail vein may be used to collect small volumes of blood.
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Preventive medicine<\/h2>\n

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\nAnnual physical examination<\/a>
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Important medical conditions<\/h2>\n

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