Pregnant mouse/ new babies

Question
QUESTION: Hello again natasha mice mouse :D


Well i just notice some signs of pregnancy to my albino mouse, She rarely run and jump like my other mouse, she was perfectly fine no sickness at all. Sometimes she just sleeps all day and only goes out when she was eating or drinking. then when one of my cousin told me she was fat and looks like pregnant,i took her and look if there are nipple's showing but i just saw small dots. Is that her nipples? i was really wired out about it cause she never makes any nest at all and she also climbs on the cage.

ANSWER: Hi again Divine,

She could well be pregnant if she has possibly been near a male in the last 3 weeks. Mice are only pregnant for three weeks. Her nipples may swell later if she is only 1-2 weeks pregnant. Mice act in different ways when they are pregnant, so I wouldn't judge it that way.

squeaks n giggles,
Natasha

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preggy   QUESTION: Here she was :DD do ya think she was pregnant?

ANSWER: Dear Divine,

She looks pregnant to me. However, sometimes a fat mouse looks pregnant. Once I wanted a fancy mouse from a pet store. She was pregnant, so they said I could have her after the babies were weaned. So I went back 5 weeks later. But she was pregnant again. So I had to wait another 5 weeks. When she was pregnant again then, I asked if I could just buy her pregnant. Well, it turned out she was just pear-shaped fat!

But usually when they are pear shaped they are pregnant. You will know for sure  in a couple of days if she gets bigger or gives birth!

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha

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mousy   QUESTION: Hello again! My albino mouse gain a weight and her nipples had shown or it's just a fur? So anyway any advice for a pregnant mouse? what should i feed her? and is it okey to put a another pregnant mouse together?

Answer
Hi Divine,

Yes she is pregnant. You are going to be a grandmother!

Two pregnant mice are fine in one nest, as long as the cage is big enough (10 gallon tank is a bare minimum). There can also be up to two other females in a larger tank.

Treat her more gently than usual. Hold her less and don't take her out of the nest. Give her lots of kleenex to make her nest soft. She should have a nest box or in any case a nest that is dark, not be out on top. Give her some scrambled egg for protein. She might get a little bad-tempered or nippy; if she doesn't seem to want to be picked up, don't do it.

Clean her cage today, before she has a chance to give birth, because you don't want to disturb the nest for a week after birth. On the 8th day, you can hold the babies. When she is already out of the nest, pick her up and put her somewhere else she is comfortable. Often putting her wheel on a table or box will work. Or have someone else hold her. Then rub your hands in the litter in the dirty corner of the cage. This is so the babies won't smell wrong to her. Take them out and hold them together, and within a few days, a couple at a time and then separately, only for a short period of time.

Make sure each pup is handled at least once a day; twice is better. When they are 14 days old they will open their eyes and within two days will be hopping around like crazy. This is called the "flea stage" or "popcorn phase". In this phase they weigh about nothing, their legs are strong, and the world, suddenly visual, is terrifying. They can jump two feet up in the air! Do not lose them. If necessary hold a mouse in your cupped right hand while holding gently but firmly to the base of its tail by its rump, with your other hand. Open your hand slowly, coaxing the mouse with your voice. Do not let go of that tail till you trust the mouse. If you lose a baby it is very hard to recapture them without hurting them.

At 4 weeks, separate them by sex, because they could start mating as early as 4 1/2 weeks. There is a link (addy) to a sexing chart and description in my profile (I'm on my ipad right now or I'd give you the link).

Let me know how it goes and if you have any other questions, research my answered questions or write back. Have fun with the babies!

Squeaks n giggles,

Natasha