Which of the following rodent diseases might show signs that could be misidentified as having been caused by biting or fighting?

• A. Mousepox
• B. Mouse norovirus
• C. Mycoplasmosis
• D. Sialodacryoadenitis

Answer: (A)

Some infections in rodents produce signs that look like physical trauma from fighting, so a clinician must consider infectious causes when skin changes aren’t easily explained by an altercation. Mousepox can present with vesicular and crusted skin lesions on the tail, ears, and body, along with systemic illness. Those crusted lesions can be mistaken for bite wounds or fighting damage, especially in a colony where aggression is common. This makes mousepox a classic example of signs that could be misinterpreted as injuries from fighting.

In contrast, mouse norovirus mainly causes gastrointestinal signs like diarrhea, mycoplasmosis leads to respiratory disease, and sialodacryoadenitis causes facial swelling and eye issues. These patterns are less likely to be confused with bite injuries, so mousepox best fits the scenario described.