feeding orphaned baby field mice

Question
hi We have two orphaned baby field mice. We've had them 2 days and are feeding them on a mixture of esbilac puppy formula and water thru a tiny eyedropper. After feeding we are using a warm swab to make them poop and they both are pooping nice little pellets. However, I don't think they are eating enough. They weigh six grams and are eating about 2 ml per feeding. They stop swallowing after that so I can't really make them eat more- it just runs out of their mouths if I try. Can I compensate by feeding them more often- say every two hours instead of every four? Also,  when and how do we introduce regular food?  they have little teeth, their eyes are open and they are fully furred.

Thanks!


E Quinn

Answer
Dear Elizabeth,

Your babies are over two weeks old, so they will only need formula for a little over a week more.  You can put some crackers and a bit of cheese in the cage now and see what they do; give them seeds in a few days.  You don't want to give them more than they want to eat at a time, but certainly nursing them more often will enable them to eat more.  Mom mouse nurses about every half hour.  Diluting the formula less will get more of the nutrients into them.  Most people use KMR (for kittens) and use it full strength.  

Best of luck and good health to your new mice!

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha