mouse is huge after recapture

Question
My mouse got away from me and went into the vent. I got her now after 4 days. She is huge around her stomach area. I know for sure while she was gone she ate a good amount of a slice of bread. Some others suggested that she maybe pregnant by a wild mouse. Then again I thought it was the lack of exersise because their metabolisms are so fast. With the wild mouse theory I have never seen heard saw droppings or caught them in my humane traps.

Answer
Dear Ashlyn,

A pregnant mouse wouldn't show after 4 days, so it isn't that.  She also wouldn't gain weight just because she doesn't have a wheel.  It might be possible she found something very fattening to eat-- butter, peanut butter, cheese-- and ate a lot of it.  It's also possible she ate something that disagreed with her.  A third possibility is that she would have become fat even if she had not escaped.  

In any case the best thing to do is to take her to the vet to be checked out.  Besides possibly having eaten the wrong thing, she could have an infection inside her.  Or it could be a fast-growing tumor, which, unfortunately, is incurable.  It's best to know.

Find a vet who specializes either in 'exotics' or small, furry pets.  You might need to call around.  Expect the same fees as for any other, larger pet.

Best of luck!

squeaks,

Natasha