Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The mice from petco sometimes run into a skinny disease (females get skinny and hunch back and sick looking). It has happened to me twice already (to a total of 5 mice). I would like to find a more robust strain of mice that are more disease resistant.

Where do you guys suggest that I get good and health and disease resistant strains?

OR . . . do you guys think that the petco strain is okay--that I just had some bad luck? Should I just stick with the petco strain? ie that the two incidents of skinny disease is just a statistical blip and I don't need to react so reactionarily to them?

thx.
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Longtang. I like snakes and rats.

I'd stay away from the Petco mice. The ones you have left might be carries of the virus that killed the others too. I'd start over, and sterilize everything.

MissHisssss

>>I'd stay away from the Petco mice. The ones you have left might be carries of the virus that killed the others too. I'd start over, and sterilize everything.
>>
>>MissHisssss

I see. Where did you get your mice? Would mice from reptile shows be okay--especially if I buy a number of them from different vendors and mix the genes?

Or . . . where else does one find out the availability of quality mice from one's local area? I live in Maryland, near D.C. Should I just contact ThreeBlindMice?http://threeblindmice.biz

thx.
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Longtang. I like snakes and rats.

I bought mine locally from a friend. There are no guarantees in life. You just have to take your chances no matter where you buy them. Just don't buy any if there are any sick ones in the group. And if they get sick after you buy them, then don't buy from that source again. As far as buying from different places... you would have to quarantine each group before putting them together.

Good luck
MissHisssss

I wouldn't go to the same place to get replacements if you had trouble with them. Their mice are problably all from the same breeder. Find out who breeds for other pet stores or an individual who breeds in your area. Good Luck.

DeMak

the feeder mice at petco are bred for food. They are taken from their mothers at too young of an age and live in horrible conditions. I bought their fancy mice. Those are bred to be pets. Doing that, I now have a healthy productive colony.

>>the feeder mice at petco are bred for food. They are taken from their mothers at too young of an age and live in horrible conditions. I bought their fancy mice. Those are bred to be pets. Doing that, I now have a healthy productive colony.

Fancy rats, heh? Cool. I have seen them @ Petco before. I will consider getting some!

cheers.

Also, I am considering buying some 60 cent mice at the next hot show @ Hamburg. PA. I feel really fortunate to live close enough to Hamburg. It is a really pretty little town.

I plan to buy some more hot snakes on 2 Aug, 03. And some mice and rats.

cheers.
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Longtang. I like snakes and rats.