orphaned baby field mouse

Question
QUESTION: Two days ago we trapped and released a mouse that was in our garage. Unfortunately, today we found a baby crawling across the garage floor. It did not make any attempt to evade capture. His little body is about 1-1 1/4" long not including the tail and he has a good coat of fur. At the time he was not moving very much (weak from hunger?) and his eyes did not appear to be open. After giving him a little milk he perked up a bit. At the second feeding (milk and karo syrup) about 45 mins. later his eyes were open a little bit and he was more active and even though I rubbed his tummy I have not seen any pellets. 1) about how long should he be fed milk, 2) what do I give him after the formula, 3) how long before I can release him, 4) is there any risk of catching any disease from him? Thanks for your help.

ANSWER: Dear Celia,

If his eyes just opened he is 2 weeks old.  He needs to be nursed every 2-3 hours around the clock until he is at least 3 weeks old. At that point give him crackers and seeds and he should start to eat them.  Stop nursing him only when he refuses it.  Don't worry about lack of pellets, for the most part he might just pee. When he is weanable at 3 weeks you can use a bottle cap to give him water.  Keep him till he is at least 5 weeks so he is fully capable of taking care of himself.  You might find yourself fond enough of him to keep him as a pet, in which case he will need mouse accessories from a pet store and most definitely a wheel as soon as possible.  Have fun with him!

Because the only, and very rare, zoonotic disease carried by wild mice in North America, hantavirus, is not spread from mother to pup, the chances of that pup having it are pretty much zilch.  I'd bet my baby's life on it (if I had one).

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha



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


baby   QUESTION: Thank you so much for your quick response. I have been feeding him every 2-3 hours, but he doesn't appear to take more than 2-3 drops. Most often he just licks it off my hand and not from the dropper. I'm concerned that he is not getting enough nourishment. I weighed him on my postal scale and he is about 7g.
Thanks again for your help.

Answer
Dear Celia,

7 g sounds right for a wild mouse at that age.  If all he wants are a few drops then that's probably fine.  He's got a pretty good chance of survival having been that old when he was found, but of course the shock and the time without his mom took a toll on him.  However, if he doesn't make it, it isn't your fault.  You are doing everything right (keeping him very warm, right?).

Best of luck,

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha