Orphan mouse did not make it.

Question
QUESTION: My neigbor's dog found a nest of mice, and killed all but one little guy. He made it through the night with a warmed buckwheat pillow. The next day, I couldn't get him to eat. I went to my local feed store, and they let me borrow one of their nursing mamas to foster him. After a couple of hours, she began to let him nurse! I'm excited,but will this make it difficult to release him into the wild?


My iPad won't allow me to attach an image.

ANSWER: Dear Ashley,

Considering that his chances are the mouse mother or hand feeding, certainly mouse feeding will be far more helpful to his mouse instincts. If you are going to let him go outdoors, you must hold him as rarely as possible.

On the other hand, baby wild mice grow into simply wonderful pets. They are very loyal and they live longer than standard (fancy) mice.

Best of luck to the little tyke! How lucky he was that you found him a mom.

Squeaks n giggles,

Natasha

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm not sure what happened, but the little guy didn't make it. I suspect he had internal injuries because the momma mouse took excellent care of him. Poor little guy was a fighter though.

Answer
Dear Ashley,

Many, many of these little orphans don't make it. Often they show no signs of illness before they die.

Thank you very much for the update. It helps me to know what happens.

I am very sorry for your loss : ((

Squeaks,

Natasha