Rescued mouse running in circles

Question
QUESTION: Dear Natasha,
This past Friday night we found a field mouse running in small circles in our garage, so we caught her and have her in a little cage.  She's been eating well and drinking, but she still runs in little circles and is tipping over - always to the left side.  Today is Sunday.

I read some of your advice and am worried it may be the brain parasite you mentioned.  Any thoughts on what I should do?

Thank you very much.
-Carolyn

ANSWER: Dear Carolyn,

Whether it is a brain parasite, brain tumor, inner ear infection, or result of a stroke, which are the main possibilities I know of, there is probably nothing much that you can do except try to  make the mouse as comfortable and happy as possible until nature takes its course.  If it was a pet mouse I might suggest trying antibiotics in case it is an ear infection which has not yet done permanent damage, but I do NOT recommend getting bitten by a wild mouse, which is what would happen if you tried to force-feed her an antibiotic. Even if you felt you could do it with gloves and a syringe (and I don't think it would work with gloved hands), it would be far too scary for a wild mouse. You could add an antibiotic to the water just in case, though. Here are instructions:

Pick up a bottle of 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 bottles with tin foil because Tetracycline reacts with water. Change about every 3 days.

By the way there are pet mice which are born with an inner ear defect that makes them go in circles all their lives-- cruelly enough, people breed for this because it is "cute." They are called waltzing mice.  In any case, they live full lives, so if the problem is an inner ear infection, your mouse might continue to live fairly comfortably.

Make sure she is eating and drinking, and if you think she would be capable of running in a wheel, get her one (does she ever go straight?).

squeaks,

Natasha

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

QUESTION: Thank you Natasha for your quick response !!!

I know that wild mice bite - so I won't try to feed her.  The antibiotics in the water are a great idea.  I fashioned an equivalent to a little water bottle on Friday night.  There is a pet store not far - Today is Sunday, but I'll try tomorrow.  

If I may ask a little bit more - I've been feeding her baby carrots, lettuce, a little cheese, and some bread which is no salt added (I have hypertension and buy that type).  I have also given her a few pieces of Captain Crunch cereal, but I'm thinking that's probably too sweet to be healthy.  Your thoughts on diet?  Is peanut butter OK?  How about dry dog food?  

I'm hoping to rehabilitate her enough to release her to the wild - but we feel that at this point she wouldn't survive just running in circles like she is.

I made a little cage and put shredded paper from our paper shredder in it, and a rag to curl up in, but she dragged the rag out all straight on the bottom.  Last night she ate the baby carrot, lettuce leaves and bread I put in there.  The previous night she ate some cheese and three pieces of Captain Crunch.  

I read about the "waltzing" problem - can't believe people would breed this on purpose.  She's doing it still - not constantly - but a lot, which is encouraging and discouraging at the same time.

Thank you so very much.  I shall check back in to see any further advice

Answer
Dear Carolyn,

You're right that she shouldn't have sugar. Crackers are good, or nuts, any seeds, oatmeal, or popcorn. She should get a variety of food. Dog food is fine too. Mice LOVE commercial peanut butter, with all that salt and sugar in it, though they often don't care at all for the healthy stuff.  You should spread the peanut butter finely on something so she doesn't get a big chunk in her mouth at once and have trouble swallowing it. That should be a treat, not for every day, because of the sugar.

Thank you so much for caring about a little mouse.

squeaks,

Natasha