Mouse ill after escape

Question
Hi Natasha, i was just wondering if you could help me out with this, im not too sure what is wrong with my mouse, but, here what happened,

about 3 days ago my mouse ran away and i found her about 3 days later running around the deck in my back yard, i caught her and put her back in her cage, but shes not eating, or drinking, her poop is like a beige color, and she has a cut on the top and underside of her tail. also when she walks which is barely, she looks like she has an arched back, and if you look straight at her she looks sort of crooked, and i'm not sure whats wrong with her, what to do, or how to treat it, please help me :(

Answer
Hi

I'm sorry about the mouse. My guess is she got into a fight outdoors. She has an injury and probably has an infection.  She is very sick. The poop color may be from something she ate, so that could be harmless.

Can you get her to a vet right away? The vets experienced in mice are usually trained in "exotics" or "pocket pets."  The vet can give her the best antibiotic to try to save her life.

If you really can't get her to a vet, the next best thing is to try to treat her at home with an over the counter antibiotic, Tetracycline.  This is NOT as good as going to the vet. Here are instructions:

You will find Tetracycline in the FISH section of your pet store.

If you have the capsules, empty one capsule into a large water bottle or one half into a small one.  Shake extremely well.  If you have the powder,  1/4 flat teaspoon measure is the same as 1 capsule.  If you have the tablets, completely crush them into fine powder with the back of a spoon and use as powder.   This should be the only water source.   Cover the water bottle with tin foil because Tetracycline reacts with light.

Next, take another capsule worth and mix it with one drop of water.  This will make a paste about the consistency of mustard.    You have plenty to play with, so if the mixture is too watery, try again.  Now pick up the mouse by the scruff of the neck.  This is the skin just behind its head.  This does not hurt it-- it's how its mama used to carry it-- but it will struggle valiantly.   Holding it gently but firmly,  quickly place a small amount into its now open mouth.  This is hard.  Be careful of its nose!  Wipe a bit more onto its whiskers and chin.  It will ingest that when it washes itself.  If you couldn't get any inside it at all, wipe some more on its head.  Put it back into the cage so it will wash itself.

I truly hope your mouse feels better soon.

squeaks,

Natasha