Making dying mice comfortable

Question
I have have 2 gorgeous mice, Masiy and Chilli (both girls). I love them so much.
They are about 2 years old and have begun to show signs of old age.
First their coats stopped gleaming and they started moving like little old ladies. They are still eating and drinking.
I'm worried about Maisy in particular. She is really thin and I think she's blind. One of her eyes is always shut and the other one is popping out with a glassy white film over the top.
I talked to the vet about it but he doesn't know much about mice and just suggested i get her euthanized. I really don't want to do that because she still seems happy.
I really don't know what to do.

Is there any way I can make them comfortable and happy while they go?

Answer
Dear Lucy,

You're right that Maisy and Chilli are aging. The only thing that worries me is the eye "popping out." Obviously your vet isn't a lot of help here, where I would usually say go to the vet. If this gets worse, I'm worried about either an abscess, which is curable but must be treated with antibiotics, or a tumor, which is untreatable. Please watch this carefully and write back if it protrudes any farther. I won't be going on vacation for Christmas, so I will be here for you. Please also note if there is any redness and any discharge. Of course if you can find a vet who does know mice-- is trained in either "pocket pets" or "exotics"-- that is far better than non-vet advice from me.

The important things about caring for aging mice are that they remain comfortable and safe. They may be too weak or clumsy to maneuver different levels of the cage or climbing toys. Make sure their cage is safe and won't lead to unintended falls. Make sure they have very easy access to food and water and watch closely to make sure they are still eating and drinking. Sometimes an aging mouse isn't able to eat hard seeds as well as she used to, and needs something softer such as cheese and fresh vegetables and crackers. Don't worry about overfeeding right now; older mice aren't in danger of obesity, and they can well use the extra calories. Make sure the cage never gets cold and they don't get stressed by loud noises or other abrupt changes. If they like to be held, now is a good time to hold them a lot. Mice often get very sweet as they age and love their people. Especially toward the end of their life they seem to derive great comfort from your attention as they get older and more infirm. My mice have often managed to wait until I could hold them before they died- they wanted to be with me when it happened. But remember they are not agile like they used to be-- they can no longer just sit on your shoulder as you walk around and do other things. A sleeve might be better; better still, as they grow very infirm, is just to be held in your hand.

Now is the time to decide if you are going to have more mice. If you are, get them now. One of your mice is most likely going to die before the other, and that second mouse is going to be devastated. It is hard to live alone and hard to lose a friend; to have both happen at once is awful. New friends are best made beforehand for several reasons. It will be easier to get used to the new mice when you have both old ones, as they will be together. And the second mouse will already know her new friends and they will be able to support her, rather than the difficult introduction taking place when she is down both physically and mentally.  If you are not going to get new mice, the second mouse will really need your attention and love for the rest of her life.

One more note. Even though we don't know yet if the mouse has an abscess, you might as well be prepared with a antibiotic at home. Get a bottle of Tetracycline from the FISH section of your pet store the next time you go there. I'll tell you how to use it if the time comes; or you can search in my answers. It is also what you would use if a mouse got sick.

Best of luck to Maisy and Chilli.

squeaks,

Natasha