Nearing the end of a mouses life

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I'm a single dad assisting my daughter with our 4 mice (3 girls,1 boy). The elder one, who is about or over 2 years of age, who was very active and confidently dominating the others, suddenly started to slump and lost the ability to use her hind legs. She till crawls around slowly. After a couple of days of doing nothing, she started to eat again after I held her in my hand for a while. She is now eating even enthusiastically and appears alert although not mobile. What do you recommend I do to make her (late) life as comfortable as possible? Thanks in advance, Rikki

ANSWER: Dear Rikki,

You're right that she's showing signs of old age.  The paralysis may be something like a stroke but it also may be severe arthritis.  The most important thing is that she always has easy access to her food and water-- can she reach up that high?  You might want to supplement her diet with water-rich foods such a cucumber or celery to make sure she can get her water content.  

It's not surprising that she perked up when she was held for a while. It definitely makes a huge difference both to their spirits and because they don't have to use their precious energy to keep warm.  The only thing that really matters is how she feels, so any love you can give her is great; other than that make sure her environment is stress-free.  Sometimes when mice become aged like this they only last a week; other times it could be three months.

It isn't  unusual for a sweet mouse to ask to be picked up or wait to be picked up when it is time for it to die. I just don't want you to feel bad if she does.  When they die they often jump or twitch, even violently.  Don't worry about this. If she dies in the cage, the others may cannibalize her-- again, don't let this upset you.  They do this in nature so the corpse doesn't foul the nest.

I hope I haven't made this depressing... I just want to prepare you.  I hope your daughter has a long mouse-owning career ahead of her!

squeaks,

Natasha

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

QUESTION: Thank you so much Natasha. We don't have cucumber or celery right now so I gave her a fresh and humid baby carrot, which also turns out to be easy for her to hold on (she eats lying on her side and if she loses control of her food, e.g. pellet, she is not mobile enough to retrieve it herself). I just hope it won't cause her too much physical pain if I pick her up in my hand frequently, to give her some warmth and contact... She has been set up alone in an individual small cage, the others (much younger) simply walked over her and I did not think that was nice for her... When the kids are in school and I'm at work I leave soft music for her (Bach or Mozart). As a 50 yr old guy and former army officer I'm ok with dealing with her passing away, soon or in months - but I have to handle the reactions of my teen daughter and 8-yr-old son... Thank you heartily again Natasha, -Rikki

Answer
Dear Rikki,

One thing-- if it's possible she should have her companions.  Mice are very sociable and she may get depressed alone.  Unless they are causing her pain, it's OK for mice to walk on each other.  It's your call; just wanted you to know it's pretty important for a mouse not to be alone.

Thanks for loving the mice.

squeaks,

Natasha