Runt Mouse

Question
Hi Natasha,

I have kept the male runt of my last litter because he was so tiny and never seemed to want to come out of the nest so I didnt think he would make a very nice pet for anyone.

He is now 6 weeks old but is about the size of a normal 3 week old mouse.  He is also quite thin by his hips (if I can call it that. He has a wide variety of food that I give him as well as a daily cap full of baby cereal that I mix for him.  I do see him  eating some of the food but he never seems to gain weight like his sister that I also kept as company for him.

He makes noises which I can hear and a friend of mine who also knows quite a bit about rodents has advised me that that indicates some sort of respiritory or vocalcord problem.  

I have 9 mice and the rest of them are all rather "plum" from all the nice foods they get, so I cant understand why he wont gain weight.  They are all quite a bit older though.

He comes out his nest, walks around and scratches in the sand etc.  He doesnt run and jump like all the other little mice Ive had but I thought that could just be his personality.

Do you think there is any tonic or something I could give him?  And do mice get worms, I know my dogs and horses used to get sort of sunken on the top of their hindquarters when they had worms?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Sandra  

Answer
Dear Sandra,

I'm not a vet, but I've never heard of mice with worms.  Runts are just slow growers.  I've raised a few runts who turned out to be wonderful mice. They just grow more slowly and never reach full size. When I want to encourage one mouse to gain a little weight I feed it soft cheese, nuts, peanut butter, and butter out of my hands that the other mice don't have access to (or they would get fat).

As for the noises, that does in my experience indicate that a mouse has had a bout with a respiratory infection and survived-- albeit with a lowered 'voice.'  Mice make little high-pitched squeaks all the time to communicate with each other and us.  Some mice do it low enough that we can hear it.  I find it endearing to know when he is talking to me.

In the end I find that a different mouse like a runt becomes a special mouse because of the attention I give to him.  The squeakers are sweet as well.  I bet your little runt is going to be a sweetie.  Just give him extra love.

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha