Cat played with baby mouse

Question
QUESTION: Hi Natasha,

I went downstairs to do laundry this morning and found a baby mouse near my clothes pile...our cat Jack was playing with something last night and I didn't pay attention - just disregarded it, but when I found the baby mouse this morning I have an inkling that he's what the cat was playing with.

He was laying on his side and still breathing - so we put him into a little tupperware container with holes made in the top for air.  He's little but has a full coat of fur and his tail is twice as long as his body.  I didn't notice any punctures on him when I put him into the container - I also put some bird seed (cracked corn/sunflower seeds) in with him with a dab of peanut butter and a little container of water.

My 1o year old son seems to think he might have broken his leg - he's still breathing and lifts his head ocasionally when you talk to him to sniff the air, other than that he's not moved much since we found him about 5 hours ago.

What do we do?  I have kitten milk replacement that I was thinking about giving him, but I don't know anything about mice at all.....my son has already named him Jasper and I really want him to live so we could keep him as a pet.

Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

ANSWER: Dear Roxann,

If the cat was playing with him, he might have an internal injury or infection, so he may not survive very long. I'm quite worried that he isn't moving. He should be over his initial shock right now-- in fact, he should have gotten over it last night. I'm glad he lifts his head; otherwise you would suspect a broken neck, which is what cats do to their prey after they get sick of playing.

Do try the KMR. Try it with a little dropper or syringe or even a tiny paintbrush or corner of a cloth or paper towel. If he takes it, give him as much as he will eat, and do so every three hours around the clock (if he takes it), in case he's not weaned. If you want to send me a picture I may be able to guess the age.

No peanut butter-- he may have trouble swallowing and can choke.

I don't have a lot of hope for him. If he doesn't make it, it's time to find a local mouse breeder and get a few mice who are bred for captivity. I may be able to help you find someone in your area.

I wish him the best of luck and health.

squeaks,

Natasha



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


Jasper   QUESTION: Hello again Natasha,

I got the pre-mixed KMR and started feeding him right away.  I suspect he has a broken back - as he can pull himself around with his arms, but has no use of his back legs at all.   

I've been using the paintbrush to feed him (tried using a bottle with the long nipple, but he got formula everywhere and I had to bathe him and dry him)  He took to the KMR and I started feeding him every 2 1/2 to 3 hours - the first 2-3 feedings he took about 5 or 6 paintbrush fills.  I was worried he wasn't getting enough, so I started giving him a mix of KMR 3 paintbrushes and then Pedialyte 3 paintbrushes.  He's taking the paintbrush into his mouth and sucking/chewing on it.  

I've used a wet Q-tip to try to encourage him to go potty, and he's pee'ed but I've not seen much poo, only one little spot this morning when my son was helping.  I've also been rubbing his belly and back.  He looks like a little hunchback (there's a big bump right behind his neck).

I'm attaching a picture of him next to a penny - sure would love your guess as to his age and what we should expect with a suspected broken back - will his back heal in time or will he be paralyzed for the rest of his life?  How long do you think we have with him.

He's the sweetest little thing - my son and I love petting his little head and nose and talking with him.  Love to hear your ideas and suggestions...

Thanks so much for all your advice!
Roxann, Reese and Jasper

ANSWER: Hi again : ))

Thanks so much for the update and the photo. He is less than three weeks, so he may take the formula for at least another week. You can try him on some soft cheese or oatmeal next. I hope he can use his front paws to eat, so he can eat on his own soon.

I do not think his back will heal.

I have actually never hand raised a mouse, though I have researched it and have many friends who have. So my personal knowledge from hand raising an animal was a 2 1/2 week old kitten I rescued and bottle-fed for five weeks. At least kittens only have to be nursed every three hours instead of two! Anyway I remember that there was really nothing much like poo for the first few weeks. So as long as something is coming out, I would not worry.

It sounds like, for a mouse who got attacked by a cat, he is lucky to have found such a loving home. He is certainly going to need much care, and he is going to love you like no mouse has ever loved. I'm sure he will like being carried around in a shirt pocket after a while. Or you can get or make a little soft carrier that you can wear around your neck.

He's still in the danger zone today, though. But it sounds very good so far.

squeaks,

Natasha
<:3  )-~



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

QUESTION: Hi Natasha,

Poor little Jasper went to Mouse Heaven Saturday morning.... :(  I got up at 1:00 a.m. to feed him and he didn't want to eat...I got a couple paintbrushes in him and figured by the next feeding he'd be ready for his usual; but when I got up to feed him around 3:30 a.m. he looked extra tired and didn't want to open his mouth at all....I knew what was coming, and was dreading it.  

By the next feeding - he'd already made his trip.  Reese and I both were devastated.  We put him into a toothpick box and had a proper burial for him under our baby oak tree.  Reese prayed and asked God to let Jasper be waiting to greet him at Heaven's gates when it was his turn to take his trip....the pain and sincerity in his voice broke my heart into a million pieces, we both couldn't help but cry away the pain.

We tried our best with our little Jasper and are thankful that he won't be suffering anymore....living life as a paralyzed mouse one wasn't what we wanted for our dear sweet mouse.

Thanks again Natasha for all your wonderful advice; I can't thank you enough for being there for us; when everyone else was no where to be found.

Silent Squeaks for Jasper,
Roxann and Reese

Answer
Dear Roxann,

Thank you very much for the update. I'm so sorry about Jasper. I was afraid of this. Even an uninjured mouse pup has a poor prognosis if it has to be hand raised. It is just hard for a person to be a mommy mouse. And this little guy 1. got lost, 2. had the shock of the cat attack, 3. was badly injured, 4. didn't eat for a time, and 5. was being raised in a non mouse situation. Just *one* of these factors could have been enough to kill a mouse pup.

Thank you for loving him. Not only do mice go to heaven, but also people who are kind to animals have a special place reserved for them.

squeaks,

Natasha
<:3  )--~