Which are common signs of respiratory disease in mice?

• A. Weight gain, increased appetite, glossy coat, hyperactivity.
• B. Hair loss, tail spacing, rough handling.
• C. Lethargy only.
• D. Nasal or ocular discharge, sneezing, coughing, labored respiration, decreased activity.

Answer: (D)

Recognizing respiratory disease in mice hinges on airway-specific signs. Nasal or ocular discharge points to irritation or infection in the nasal passages or sinuses, and sneezing reflects that irritation. Coughing, when present, signals airway involvement, and labored or rapid breathing shows more serious breathing difficulty. When these respiratory signs appear along with decreased activity, it indicates the animal is unwell from a respiratory process.

Other signs like weight gain, hair loss, or tail spacing reflect non-respiratory issues or normal variation, and lethargy alone doesn’t point to the respiratory system. So the combination of discharge, sneezing, coughing, labored respiration, and reduced activity best indicates respiratory disease.