rescued baby mice and disease?

Question
Dear, Natasha

I am 16 years old and live with my parents. Today i discovered in a sticky trap 2 baby mice. My mom normally discards of them but me being an animal lover i just could not. So i took them down to my room and got one of my old tanks out and saved them. My parents do not approve they say they carry lots of diseases. I know some of them do but these ones look perfectly healthy, they are also harmless. I myself have held one and she crawls right into my had no problem. My question is how do i know if they are diseased? I just cant let them go in the cold i at least want to keep them until its nice out is that safe?

thank you for your time.

Stephanie

Answer
Dear Stephanie,

Thank you for caring about the little guys.  There is very little incidence of human-contagious mouse diseases in the US.  There is a virus called hantavirus that people sometimes get from cleaning out old field mouse nests in old barns or houses, because they get it by breathing in dried urine and feces.  The likelihood of baby mice having this is extremely rare because they do not get it from their mom.  Also, your mice are probably not field mice, but are probably house mice.  Lots of people who find baby mice keep them as pets.  

Tell your mom the possibility of these guys being diseased is practically nil.  If they were, you would experience severe flu symptoms or shortness of breath in about 2-4 weeks and would tell your doctor you had contact with  wild mice.

Do be aware that unless they are both girls, you'll probably have to separate them.  You don't want babies, and boys eventually grow up and fight. Also, if they always want to escape then you will have to let them go outside.  But if they stay friendly and seem happy, you can keep them.  One thing is crucial and that is to get them a wheel.  They will be miserable without one.

Have fun with the little guys.  Baby wild mice can grow up to be wonderful pets, and they can live far longer than pet store mice.

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha

PS the mice can get sick from you, though.  Make sure you don't handle them when you are sick.