Is Baby Field Mouse Healthy?

Question
I wrote yesterday about a baby field mouse I found.  I did
not think he would make it through today, but here he
still, still hanging in there.  I ran up to the vet and got
him some KMR and am feeding him that.  He's able to lick it
from a small bottle cap.  Since I'm not at all familiar
with baby wildlife. . how long are they very wobbly and
unsteady on their feet? His legs and feet almost look
deformed.  I know one front paw is deformed as he has great
trouble walking with that one.  He's very shivery.  Should
all this be expected from something his age?  He can get
very lethargic and then all of a sudden, bam, he's
stumbling across the cage.  I want him to make it and at
the same time don't want him to suffer.  I have TONS of
questions.  Am I able to send you a picture?
Thanks a million.  PS - I'm from the beaches of Miami so
all of this is very new to me.  I'm now in New Hampshire
and it's a whole 'nother world!

Answer
Dear Susan,

Baby mice can be wobbly even after their eyes open and they start walking around.  I would expect complete mobility at 3 weeks.  His legs and feet should look very big-- like a kitten, he has to grow into them.  Shivery is not unusual.  Mice kind of vibrate in the best of times.  The movement sounds normal for a baby mouse to me.  

Basically, if he is feeding then he is doing well.  I don't even worry about whether a mouse might have a handicap because a handicapped mouse doesn't know that other mice have it easier.  I've seen perfectly happy cerebral palsied mice.  Not that it's a happy thing if he has a deformed paw, but he'll probably adjust to it quickly.  If they eat, poop, and move around some, at that age, they are doing well.  When he has lots of fur and takes care of it himself, you will also be able to tell by his coat.  

You can upload photos when you send a question.  Not sure how, but some questioners have done so.  By the way, welcome to the world of 4 seasons!

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha