Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay, short backstory:

I bought a 'male' mouse from a pet store a while back, and HE turned out to be a SHE, and SHE had a litter. Three boys, four girls. I gave Mom and one of the girls to a friend of mine, and housed the three boys and the three girls in seperate cages. One is a regular cage, the other is a huge lizard tank, so I'm not sure it is space issues...

anyway, they've been living with each other since they've been weaned, but I haven't had a problem with two of them fighting at all except playfully ((the albino is usually ignored))-- until recently that is. It seems that their fighting has been getting more agressive, but I don't think they are killing each other... anyway, that is information I can get elsewhere.

My real problem is... one of the male mouse has VERY recently been... well... putting his mouth 'down there' ((I am completely serious, this is not some weird spam post...)) and at first we just thought he was well... doin' it like they do on the discovery channel.. but I picked him up today and examined him to make sure his fighting with the other one hasn't left any marks, when I saw that his... mousey bits... had little scabs on him.

Why would he be injuring himself this way? How can I get him to stop? I do not want to have to get rid of him, but... I don't know.

Help!

The only reason a mouse will self mutilate is stress, or health reasons. Having three males in the same cage could also mean they are fighting. Just because none are dead yet doesn't mean they don't fight. The male licking itself could be licking injuries around his genitalia which seems to be were most males attack each other.

Mites or other external parasites may cause excessive grooming which can lead to skin/fur being worn away even to the point the skin is licked off (abrasive tongues). However excessive grooming tends to be on other parts of the body, more than the genital area.

Infections from bite wounds or other injuries can prompt them to lick that area more often. Internal parasites may cause it, or infection of the penis or anus could too.

Stress certainly can and does cause excessive grooming, among other things.

I suggest taking the affected male and house him in a cage by himself for a few weeks to see if he improves. If he gets worse, take him to see a vet.
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PHLdyPayne