i realy need help!

Question
Three days ago my sister and I resqued a baby mouse. Yesterday it opened ONE of its eyes and today the other one still isn't opened! We have been feeding it two percent milk from an ear dropper. It ate best the first and second day but ever since it opened it eyes its been more fussy. I figured maybe I should try and weene it soon. There is a leaf of spinich that I ripped up and a VERY shallow dish of water in there to. The bedding is shredded paper and tp. Is my mouse okay? What should I do? Only one eye is opened.
It is also really active...

In need of help,
Katie

Answer
Hi Katie,

It's perfectly fine if the eyes open at different times - don't try to force it or anything, just let it happen naturally.  Mice are lactose intolerant, so cow's milk isn't the best choice for them, but you can find kitten milk replacement at any pet store or feed store.  Mice should wean onto a rounded diet, so it's best to leave mouse food in the cage at all times so he can explore it at his own pace - any commercial diet labeled for mice, or for mice and rats, will do.  Spinach doesn't contain enough nutrients to replace kitten milk, but it's a great treat.  A water bottle is best kept in the cage at all times, too, but I find that young mice figure out food before they figure out the water bottle - you may have another week or two before he understands how to use it, and as long as you continue to offer kitten milk, this will be just fine.  A water dish isn't a good idea because mice love to get their bedding in it, tip it over, or generally do just about everything except drink from it!  Shredded paper is a fine bedding for now, but you may want to consider using something warmer and more absorbent - especially if that water tips over.  Young mice can chill easily, especially if wet!  Aspen bedding is safe and very inexpensive (one $10 bag can last a single mouse a couple of months, easily), and yesterday's news and carefresh are both paper-based beddings that are a little more absorbent and snuggly.

As far as weaning, continue to feed him as long as he will eat.  He will let you know when he wants to eat more or less, and always let him eat as long as he wants to each time.  Here is a general guideline on how often to feed pups that are getting older (but the times will change if he is a different species, so always let him tell you what he wants):  http://www.rmca.org/Articles/orphans.htm  He can stop taking kitten milk entirely once you've seen him both eat AND drink from the water bottle on his own.

Thanks for rescuing the little guy, and best of luck!  His eye should be just fine, so don't worry about it.  Feel free to write me back if you have any more questions!  :)

-Tam