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Broken bone? Tumor? What??

21 15:40:18

Question
She has been active and healthy, she's still moving around, but last night I accidentally dropped her, and this morning around her right arm is all black and blue and swollen. She moves around just fine and her arm has total movement, it doesn't appear to hurt her at all when she moves and uses her arm. Help?

Answer
Hi!

The question is a tad confusing, but I hope I understood correctly that you accidentally dropped your mouse and now, while appearing to have full mobility in her legs one of them appears swollen and the skin around it has turned darker.

Mice, as any other animal, will attempt to hide their own pain and possible injury the best they can as a natural instinct. Nevertheless if she had a broken bone she would not be using the injured leg. If she seems otherwise alright and is using all her legs without any difficulty, the swelling and darker shade of the skin would suggest a mere bruise. All she needs in this case is rest. If possible, give her a smaller habitat during the recovery without anything she could climb on, and handle her as little as possible. Place the habitat in a peaceful, quiet room. Mice have a very fast metabolism, and she should be recovering very quickly!

If she however starts to avoid using her leg, I suggest you contact a local vet for further help. Unfortunately broken bones are next to impossible to treat for small rodents, and a broken bone often means a death sentence or a very agonising life for the animal in question.

Hope the little girl gets well soon!