mouse drags back legs

Question
QUESTION: Hi, i have a mouse who has something wrong with her back legs, she drags them behind her sometimes when she walks, shes still happy and gets to her food and water alright too and shes probably about 1 and a half years old, but what i really want to ask is if she would be alright to breed ? would her legs be a problem with breeding her ? and is she to old ?
Thanks

ANSWER: Dear Tyler,

Although her condition might have been caused by a stroke or other injury, it's also likely that it is genetic.  Thus you definitely don't want to breed her because her babies might have the same problem.  Also, she's having a hard enough time as it is. A pregnancy would be very difficult for her. Unfortunately, I truly recommend not breeding this mouse.

squeaks,

Natasha

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

QUESTION: ok, but do you think she would be in pain from this thing with her back legs ? and also shes been sleeping HEAPS lately, more than my other female mouse in her cage who is much older than her which i think is a little weird, is that normal or not ?
Thanks

Answer
Dear Tyler,

Looking back I see I misread her age last time, if she's 18 months old she might be suffering from arthritis which can all pretty much paralyze a mouse towards the end of her life. If this is the case, it will get worse and there's nothing to be done. Whatever you do, don't give her anything for the arthritis unless a very knowledgeable vet tells you to, because I killed some of my mice one time by giving them a supplement that helps people, cats and dogs.

If it isn't arthritis then it probably won't get any worse. Make sure it's easy to get to her food and water. Also watch and make sure she isn't having trouble running in the wheel. You don't want her to fall out. Probably she knows enough not to try something that she can't do. If there comes a time when it's hard for her to drink from the bottle, give her wet vegetables such as cucumber or green pepper to get her liquid. Never leave perishables in the cage more than a day.

There's no reason why she can't stay happy, if more limited.  It's hard to tell if a mouse is in pain, but if she doesn't squeak when you palpitate her legs and hips she's probably OK.  The extra sleeping could be due to it being more tiring to get around than it used to be; or it could just be age. As mice age they often have a very quick transition to an aged-looking state where they are hunched over, their fur is less smooth, they don't move much, have trouble walking, and sleep a lot. Then they can last another week or three months.

Best of luck and love to her,

squeaks,

Natasha