saving orphan mice

Question
QUESTION: Hello...Again :(

My Mouse Gave Birth To 9 babies about 9 days ago.Two Died.But last Bight She Died, I don't know when ,She Looked pretty scrawny so i gave her some water and food.But She died,Now I'm left With two Female Mice (sisters of my dead mouse) and seven babies.The sisters aren't going near the babies.Should I Feed the babies myself ? And If so.What On and how often.I Still Attend school and my mum works so i would be able to feed them like every 4 hours.what Should I Do ??
Please Help :(

Cozza

ANSWER: Dear Cozza,

I'm so sorry about the mouse.  Motherhood takes a toll on anyone's health, and some mice just aren't up to it.

Yes, if the other mice are not helping, it is imperative that you care for the babies yourself.  You will do so exactly like you would for wild foundlings.

The babies are used to being fed every half hour, so if you can feed them more like every 2-3 hours they will be much happier.  This means nighttime too.  Make sure your hands are warm.  The most common thing to feed them with is KMR (kitten formula).  Before you have a chance to get that, yogurt is a good start.  You will give them the formula with an eyedropper or a small paintbrush and, a small drop at a time, continue feeding until they won't take any  more. Their tummies will turn white under the fur. Then massage their tummies very gently with a warm finger or Q-tip, which helps them to go to the bathroom.  Wash them off gently when they do this.

 Be sure to keep them very warm.  If there is only one nest in the cage, the other two females should at least sleep with the babies, but when they are out of the nest the babies still need to be kept warm.  Use a heating pad on low under the cage, or buy a heating rock from the pet store, or use a hot water bottle and change frequently.  

Please let me know what other questions you have.  I wish the little ones luck!

squeaks,

Natasha

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

QUESTION: Hi !!


Sadly Two of the babies are left.They Are doing okay.But I Cant seem To Get Them To Go To the Toilet.I Rubbed There Bellies With A Warm Damp Cloth,And A Q-Tip..only One Has Gone.I've fed them every Two Hours..But im lengthening the Time In Between Because i have School.I've Only Been Able To Feed them This Amount Because Im off Of School Ill :(
They Are Both Moving Around Alot..

Also..I Have Fed Them Lactol Instead Of KMR...I Couldnt Find It Anywhere !
Please can You Tell me if doing okay...As I Desperately Want them To Survive..How do The orphan Babies die?.I Thought they Were all doing well..except One ..But then Four died In One Hour!!

The Last message You Sent Was Very helpful.Thats why i Asked again.
Thank you so Much For answering !!

P.s...hey Also Seem To have Funny Bald patches.Only Very Small.About the size of pin-heads.The Less Healthy One has that.

Thanks Again !! x

Answer
Dear Cozza,

Raising mouse babies is something that only mother mice are very good at.  When a person has to take over, the chance of the babies' surviving is far less.  These little pups have already lived through having a sick mother and being abandoned; now they are trying to cope with not being fed every 1/2 hour and not having mouse milk.  You've done the best you can, with the odds against you.

I haven't heard of using Lactol for  mice.  Pedialyte (Paedialyte in the UK) is a common substitute.  I would recommend looking for that or for another formula intended for dehydrated infants.  All you can do for the pup who hasn't eliminated is very gently massage it from time to time.  Some people bring the orphans to school or work with a hot water bottle and a shoebox so they can care for them.  If you are a schoolchild, perhaps the nurse would be willing to keep the mice and let you come and go to feed them.  

It is common for orphan mice to lose patches of fur.  It will grow back.

Best of luck from my entire brood:  Brandy, Kerfluffle, Little Honey, Daisy, Chanterelle & Valentine!

squeaks,

Natasha