Weaning orphan mice

Question

Mouse pups found   QUESTION: Hi Natasha
When our pond was being dug out yesterday, we found a nest of 3 mice pups.  Their eyes are still closed but they have brown fur all over.  We left them for a while, but as it started to get dark, I couldn't just abandon them to their fate, so we have put them in a box in their nest and brought them inside.  I searched for info, and have fed them diluted soy infant formula using a pipette watercolour brush, and stimulated them to poo. I really didn't expect them to be alive this morning, but they are, wrigging around, poo in their bed, have fed them again, changed their bedding.  They seem to have small mites on them, is this a concern?  Do you know how long before they will open their eyes, if they survive, and I can introduce "solids"?  Any info gratefully received - have never done this before, and my children are desperate for them to survive!  Are they suitable pets if they do make it? Many thanks, Emma

ANSWER: Dear Emma, [ADDENDUM BELOW]

Thanks for caring about the little tykes! Here is a good starter video:

INFO ON RAISING ORPHANS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNX2byHbppM&feature=related

And follow the links to watch her other raising baby videos. She has a lot of experience.

Here's the most important part: They must be nursed EVERY TWO HOURS AROUND THE CLOCK!  This is crucial.

If they are already pooping on their own, they are pretty close to opening their eyes. They have a nice rich coat of fur. When they open their eyes they might get quite jumpy.  If they do, you might want to feed them in the bathtub in case you lose one. You will need a cage with a lid within a few days after they open their eyes. Better soon than late.

It's hard to know how tame they will be, being so close to opening their eyes already. Hold them as much as possible so they really know human scent is a good thing. If they remain tame, and my criteria is they don't bite and at week 5 are handleable, seem happy, and don't keep trying to get out of the cage, they will be good pets. They will need a wheel to get off their excess energy to help prevent this.

Here is a video I made about having a mouse as a pet that may be helpful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNK4uqNZTbA&feature=share

If they remain tame they make wonderful pets! They are very loyal and they live quite a bit longer than standard pet mice.

On the down side, it is very hard to replace a mouse mommy, and these have had a shock plus I assume a time without often enough feeding. These little guys don't always make it, even with the best of care. You might want to promise your kids you'll get them some pet mice if these guys don't make it.

On the other hand, if they do, you're going to have to know their sex so you don't end up with hundreds of lovely little pets.

http://www.thefunmouse.com/info/sexing.cfm

Best of luck!

squeaks

Natasha


*****IMPORTANT ADDENDUM*****


I read your comment. I'm so sorry I forgot to address the mites problem. It's a little tough to treat such little guys.

My first option would be to talk a vet into giving you an itsy bitsy amount of Revolution, which you simply apply to the back of the neck. It kills any parasites that bite the mouse. You would use the very tip of a toothpick to apply a tiny bit.

My second option would be to get some ivermectin, which works in the same way, but you will apply it differently. You are going to have to buy about enough for a horse and only use a tiny bit!  The least expensive source I found is IVER-ON Ivermectin Pour-On for Cattle at Jeffers Livestock, $19.95 (on sale) for 250 ml:

http://www.jefferslivestock.com/ssc/product.asp?CID=2&mscssid=86NED8ESF7KN9PVC6N.

DON'T USE IT STRAIGHT!!

My mouse breeder has used it on pinkies, so it is pretty gentle on the mouse. Mix one part ivermectin to 5 parts water. Take a tiny bit on your finger and wipe it liberally on the body of the mouse. Avoid the face. You can do it once a week, though after two weeks the problem should be gone.

My third option would be to wait until they are older (two weeks) and use the flea and tick spray from 8 in 1. I don't like this idea because it can cause skin pain and such little fellows would be very susceptible to that. Here are the directions I give people. Use the bird spray:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2011/9/mouse-mites-lice.htm

In any case, DO physically remove the visible bugs. A tiny bug can do a lot of damage to a tiny mouse pup.

Sorry I missed the question before!

squeaks,

Natasha




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

QUESTION: Hi Natasha, day 3 and our 3 pups seem to be doing really well. They are much more active now and jump into my hand when I reach in to feed them. They don't seem to eat much at each go, but get very sleepy when they've had enough. They are grooming themselves and bianca (after The Rescuers!) started to open her eyes today. They are still having the soy formula double dilute. Shall I increase the strength, do you think?  When can I offer solids? And what. Thanks for your advice so far. Emma

Answer
Dear Emma,

When they open their eyes they are just about 14 days old. Keep the formula at half strength. Within 3-4 days they should be interested in a bit of rye crisp, wasa bread, or cracker soaked in formula. Also put solid food in the cage to see what happens. Start with crackers, seeds (you need to buy a rat and mouse mix), and fresh vegetables. Give them a water bottle, but you won't stop giving them liquids until you see/hear them drink from it. As they are eating solids but not drinking from the bottle yet, dilute the formula to water in a tiny bottle cap (baby  mice drown in anything bigger) during a period of four days until they are drinking plain water. There is no reason to hand feed after 24 days, but hopefully they will refuse it by then. As soon as you know they are eating solids, only offer the formula only every 6 hours. Although they will be physiologically capable of weaning completely at a minimum of 21 days, because they are orphans, if they will take formula longer than that, it will give them an edge. To get them interested in the water bottle after they are drinking from the cap, put a bit of butter on the tip and show it to them 1-2 x a day.

Have you treated for mites? Keep me up to date, even if something goes wrong. I need to learn.

squeaks,

Natasha