lone mouse

Question
QUESTION: we had two fancy mice, about 18 months old, and one just died last week. Now the remaining female seems so lonely and depressed. I know how social mice are, so we have tried to find another female to keep her company, but the only mice we can find are very young. The man in the pet shop advised us not to add a very young mouse.  She has very heavy breathing, and just does not seem herself.  How should we proceed?

ANSWER: Dear Ann,

You are right that the mouse is lonely.  This does affect their health and they generally lose weight and become depressed. She would definitely like a new friend.

The man at the pet shop is mistaken.  If you give her a mouse her size they willl fight to see who is the more important mouse.  If you give her a baby it will be obvious who has the upper paw.  

You didn't mention the cause of death of the other one.  Of course if this mouse is displaying those symptoms she should not infect another mouse.  However, at 18 months, death from old age is not uncommon.

To prepare the mice, you can put the little one in a freshly cleaned cage for a day alone, or just put them together in a fresh cage.  There will be a lot of chasing and squeaking, but there is no harm done if nobody bleeds.  The squeaking isn't pain but communication.  Sometimes the little mouse will stand up and bare her tummy and throat to the older one, which means "you can kill me, I'm only a baby.!"  The older mouse will take this as a sign of respect and will be satisfied for the moment.  

Good luck!

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha

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

QUESTION: our mouse that died was overweight, and I fear she had a heart attack.  She did not appear sick.  How long can we expect our remaining mouse to live?  She is trim, but exhibiting some panting type breathing. Maybe this is just anxiety.  I am so concerned about our lonely little gir!

Answer
Dear Ann,

The mouse will live a shorter life if she is alone. However, buying a new mouse now means a commitment to another two years.  If you do not want to do this, don't buy a new mouse.  

It is possible that she is fine and just breathing a little differently.  Sometimes a mouse will change her breathing pattern-- often it becomes louder, making little chirps.  My Clara started to breathe more heavily last December, and I was a little worried, but she is 18 months old now and very healthy and happy.

If you want new mice, the best thing (always) is to get two more.  If you always have three, when one dies the others won't be alone.  Then you get another third mouse. If you want to get her a companion, please do it right away.  She is suffering.  If you don't, then you will need to give her extra, extra people attention, at the very least an hour a day.  She needs to feel loved!

Squeaks,

Natasha