The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsI have a baby mouse that I think is in shock right now 1:30 EST
shivering, eyes opening mostly as slits, low body temp
One of my dogs found it just now so I brought it in to see if we could help it. It wasn't moving very fast, may be injured but is not bleeding and seemed able to use all four legs, just not very fast. May have been dropped by a bird because we found him in the middle of a small parking lot.
The mouse is about the size of my thumb, although fatter. Gray coat with a white belly.
Any advice?
Fla Dem
(23,668 posts)there probably isn't much you can do for it.
KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)I have her in a large glass jar with leaves across the bottom so that I can observe without poking around in the nesting. I think I want to try some carrot shavings to see if she will eat. In my quick study it says they get water through food mostly and for shock I think water is needed.
Fla Dem
(23,668 posts)Or wet your pinkie and see if she will lick it. Sounds like you're doing everything you can. If she was dropped by a bird, there are probably internal injuries. I'm surprised she has survived this long.
KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)I don't see injuries. I have seen hawks kill and eat rodents by dropping them on asphalt then picking them back up so it kind of looked like that scenario but it is possible that she wandered away from the nest and isn't really injured just young and not used to daylight.
She ate some spinach.
darkangel218
(13,985 posts)PS: Im sorry, im scared of live mice
KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)She is adorable. When she sits up she looks her head and body are the same size. She went inside the cotton sock.
Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)If not it might need formula, ie esbilac. I have raised many litters of mice over the years. People bring them in thinking they are baby squirrels.
Best of luck
Here is a photo of one
[IMG][/IMG]
Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)the pet store has pet rodent food that might be more palatable. I do wildlife rehab and keep an assortment of foods here for anything that might come in.
I specialize in cottontails these days. If it does not perk up there are a lot of good wildlife rehabilitators in New York than can help.
PM me if you need some names.
Taverner
(55,476 posts)KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)He brought me this bird's nest in his mouth without crushing it when he was about 3 months old. He just set it down at my feet and titled his head, like 'what is this?'
avebury
(10,952 posts)You know if you name it, you own it.
KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)of my socks.
handmade34
(22,756 posts)we always had pet mice... they are awesome pets, friendly and easy to handle once they get used to you...
the last pet mouse we had as my kids were older, did get loose but continued to live in my kitchen and would come sit on the counter when we were working in there...
...now, on the other hand... wild mice I cannot tolerate and continue to set traps and work to rid my house of them
GreenPartyVoter
(72,377 posts)myshofer
(10 posts)aren't there any vaccinations for the pet mouse so that we can be safe from the diseases.
GreenPartyVoter
(72,377 posts)there are vaccinations for mice (or people) for things like Hanta virus, which is really, really nasty.
Fla Dem
(23,668 posts)KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)curled up in a cotton sock last time I checked. When I lift up the sock she just looks at me.
myshofer
(10 posts)i just love its picture. hope it is better.
KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)mine has a white belly and smaller ears
thanks for the vibes
Kali
(55,008 posts)better nutrition than spinach for a rodent (are you sure it is a mouse and not a shrew - nevermind that would probably be dead by now, they need to eat a LOT)
if it isn't really an infant, dog or cat kibble is fine to feed them too - healthy mice will eat just about anything but nuts and grains are best.
never pick up a small rodent, it really is better to let nature take its course (or to humanely dispose of it) but having done that enough times to be a real hypocrite for giving that advice I certainly understand.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)that had invaded our kitchen. She'd made a nest in an oven mitt that I had hanging near the stove but didn't use very often--caught her peeping out from the wrist opening at us one morning. It was a bitter cold South Dakota winter, snow on the ground, and I didn't have the heart to kill her or release her outside. So we got a little cage and kept her in it for about 6 weeks, until it was closer to spring, then let her go, out on the prairie. I wouldn't do that now, but I'm not sorry to have helped her out. Those beady little eyes watching us from the oven mitt...
KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)we have Lyme disease carried by ticks though. I have handled her only once and only by the tail.
I will probably release her soon as long as she is healthy but I may have to shoot some pictures first.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)needn't fear hantavirus, plague, tularemia etc. like I do. I would minimize contact, definitely, get a box of disposable gloves when you deal with her or her surroundings, wash your hands, keep her isolated (garage? Laundry room?), watch out for fleas, etc. Poor little thing! Hope she gets better and on her merry mouse way. Edit to add--dispose of whatever you use with her, too.
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)ALBANY- The New York State Department of Health (DOH) has received laboratory confirmation of a hantavirus case in New York State.
The individual reports that on Aug. 26 he was bitten by a rodent while camping in a lean-to shelter in the Adirondacks. According to the man, he did not experience symptoms until late September; he was hospitalized for nearly a week before recovering.
http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2012/10/24/ny_hantavirus/
More Info here:
http://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/pdf/HPS_Brochure.pdf
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)TuxedoKat
(3,818 posts)is given to baby squirrels. Be sure to give water as dehydration is a big danger to small rodents.
KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)read one thing that said they get most of their water from food, but I am trying both.
TuxedoKat
(3,818 posts)if you've resarched it. Spinach should have water in it, or you could wet the spinach too before you give it to her. If they have had shock, I remember the animal rescuers I've brought various animals to help, were always concerned about hydration. Sweet of you to help her and take an interest. Hope she continues to improve.
Just thought of something, they like little things to crawl in, like a used toilet paper tube. Since they are nocturnal, they like to get away from the light. Shredded newspaper they would like as well, to burrow in.
Joe Shlabotnik
(5,604 posts)Keep him warm, they often can't produce much heat on their own.
TorchTheWitch
(11,065 posts)Field mice are much smaller than pet mice and also have bigger eyes and ears. If it's thumb sized it sounds like an adult.
orleans
(34,051 posts)and ask some questions--see what they say and what to do for the mouse. we've had pet mice for years. get a mousie water bottle. good luck. i know how cute they are!