baby wild mouse death

Question
QUESTION: i have kept feeding scruff, but i looked at him today and when i cleaned him there was blood coming from his butt area. he has been doing fine, but twice hes gone 8 hours without feeding because my dad filed to remember to wake me at 5:30 to feed scruff. will scruff be all right?

ANSWER: Dear Katrina,

Scruff doesn't sound well at all.  He should be nursing every two hours.  His mother fed him every half hour.  It's good that he's got along so far, but he has a long way to go.  It's not easy to raise a baby mouse.  

I hope he is OK.

squeaks,

Natasha

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

QUESTION: is the blood from the none feeding on time? could it perhaps be from me dropping him the other day? if he had internal bleeding wouldn't he have already died?

ANSWER: Dear Katrina,

Internal injuries can last a long time.  He could be hurt from being dropped.  I hope he is OK.  There's nothing a vet could do at this point except what you are doing- try to meet his needs as well as possible.  

squeaks,

Natasha

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

QUESTION: unfortunatly he was not ok, he died while i was feeding him. thank you for your help. do you think he lived a happy life? i tried my best.

Answer
Dear Katrina,

You did your best, and that's all we can ever do for little creatures who need our help.  Without you, he wouldn't have lasted as long as he did, and would have died away from from any warmth or love.  I think that makes a big difference.  Mice know when they are cared for.

Sorry about little Scruff.  I like to think there is a lot of salted and buttered popcorn in mouse heaven, because that's their favorite thing.

squeaks,

Natasha