very old mouse

Question
hi, 1 of my female mice named yuna is almost 3yrs old and wondering if its normal for mouse this age to not eat much and be idle most of the time, doesnt do much but just sit around, she doesnt clean herself anymore as i notice alot of urin stains on her fur from other mice and her eyes have a grey spot in the center of both eyes.

Answer
Dear Warren,

Three years is very, very old for a mouse. She is a lucky mouse!  Yes, when mice get old they become lethargic, eat less, and stop tending as much to their fur. She is probably also hunched over. This change often seems to happen almost overnight. She won't live a lot longer.  The dots in the eyes are also a sign of age. It may be cataracts.

You can help her out by applying a slightly damp, warm washcloth to her fur to clean it. Don't scrub, just go along the direction of her fur, and don't put her back in the cage until she is completely dry. Alternatively you can take a very soft toothbrush and gently brush the top of her fur.

You also need to make sure she can eat as much as possible. See if she will eat some soft cheese or yogurt. You can also try mixing a little bit of honey with milk and soaking a crust of bread in it for her.  Make sure she stays warm. If she is in a nest with other mice she is probably OK on that count, but the room should be at least 68 degrees.

If she seems to become miserable, doesn't eat or move, or eliminates in the nest, you might want to think about having her put to sleep.

I wish her the best.

squeaks,

Natasha