Newborn Mice

[DisneyExplorer]

Well, yesterday my brothers found four newborn mice that were on their own. They brought them home, and we set up a little environment for them with shredded paper for bedding. Every 2-3 hours we've been feeding them luke warm kitten forumula and bathing them. They are tiny and haven't opened their eyes yet. I'm in charge on feeding them tonight. My schedule: 10pm, 1am, 4am, and 7am. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to take care of them, or if I'm doing it wrong?

 

[Hakunamatata]

Well, yesterday my brothers found four newborn mice that were on their own. They brought them home, and we set up a little environment for them with shredded paper for bedding. Every 2-3 hours we've been feeding them luke warm kitten forumula and bathing them. They are tiny and haven't opened their eyes yet. I'm in charge on feeding them tonight. My schedule: 10pm, 1am, 4am, and 7am. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to take care of them, or if I'm doing it wrong?

Where did you find them?

 

[DisneyExplorer]

Where did you find them?

On a nearby street. They had been there for over a day.

 

[Monty]

I'd contact a local wildlife treatment centre and ask whether you should be caring for them at all and if so, what they need to survive. Guessing with newborns isn't a good idea! [Of course removing newborns from wherever they were when the mother may have been out foraging for food wasn't a great one either]

 

[Hakunamatata]

On a nearby street. They had been there for over a day.

Cool. Sounds like you are taking the right steps to care for them. Just a word of caution, if their eyes are not open and you found them on a street, there is a good chance that their mother rejected them kicked them out of the nest for some reason. Most times, animals will reject their young due to illness or disease. Be carefull and make sure you wash your hands and disinfect regularly.

 

[DisneyExplorer]

[Of course removing newborns from wherever they were when the mother may have been out foraging for food wasn't a great one either]

The mother was squished by a car, and we couldn't just leave the babies to die.

 

[DisneyExplorer]

Cool. Sounds like you are taking the right steps to care for them. Just a word of caution, if their eyes are not open and you found them on a street, there is a good chance that their mother rejected them kicked them out of the nest for some reason. Most times, animals will reject their young due to illness or disease. Be carefull and make sure you wash your hands and disinfect regularly.

Thanks! We've been wearing latex gloves when handling them and washing after. My mom keeps worrying about if they have illnesses as well. Do you think spraying Lysol or another disinfectant around the house would harm them?

 

[Hakunamatata]

Thanks! We've been wearing latex gloves when handling them and washing after. My mom keeps worrying about if they have illnesses as well. Do you think spraying Lysol or another disinfectant around the house would harm them?

As long as you dont spray it directly on them. I dont think they are born with hair, but I would also check to make sure they dont have any flees on them.

 

[SpongeScott]

I have a corn snake that is always looking for a good snack. :lookaroun

Survival of the fittest....:lookaroun

 

[DisneyExplorer]

As long as you dont spray it directly on them. I dont think they are born with hair, but I would also check to make sure they dont have any flees on them.

The four of them all have short little brown hairs on top, but all pink on the bottom. Two of the mice look like they have white fuzz on them, so my guess is they are starting to get their real fur. From what I've read, they won't open their eyes until they are about fourteen days old. During each feeding session, we've had to massage their bellies which gets them to excrete waste.

 

[unkadug]

I really wouldn't suggest keeping wild mice in the house as pets.

They could very well have been born with illnesses from their mother.
Please contact your veterinarian.

If you really want pet mice, go to your local pet store.

 

[DisneyExplorer]

I really wouldn't suggest keeping wild mice in the house as pets.

They could very well have been born with illnesses from their mother.
Please contact your veterinarian.

If you really want pet mice, go to your local pet store.

We're planning on releasing them into the wild as soon as they are able to eat food without assistance and their eyes are open.

 

[Monty]

The mother was squished by a car, and we couldn't just leave the babies to die.

You didn't mention that in you OP. I have no issue with saving them from dying, it was the possibility of kidnapping them while the mother was away. Now that that's cleared up, call an animal treatment centre or a vet for diet instructions. Just to be sure you're not missing something important to their development.

I have a corn snake that is always looking for a good snack. :lookaroun

Survival of the fittest....:lookaroun

Scott!

 

[Hakunamatata]

I have a corn snake that is always looking for a good snack. :lookaroun

Survival of the fittest....:lookaroun

I know of another mouse about these parts that needs to be eaten....

 

[DisneyExplorer]

Just an update on the status of the mice. Only two of the four mice have lived to see the light of day 3 (well actually they can't see the light because their eyes aren't open yet, but you get what I mean). We are all very sad and hope to bury the two no longer with us later today.

 

[The Mom]

They also have to be kept warm, but not too warm. It's very difficult to do without an animal incubator, and coupled with the fact that they were neglected for several hours, it's highly unlikely that the rest will survive.

I was a zoo docent, and even with specialized equipment and species specific formulas many of the newborns didn't make it.

 

[DisneyExplorer]

They also have to be kept warm, but not too warm. It's very difficult to do without an animal incubator, and coupled with the fact that they were neglected for several hours, it's highly unlikely that the rest will survive.

I was a zoo docent, and even with specialized equipment and species specific formulas many of the newborns didn't make it.

That's the part we were afraid of. As much as you try, you'll never be able to substitute for a newborn's mother.

 

[MAF]

Eww diseaes much?

 

[DisneyExplorer]

All of the mice are now dead and buried in a nice little gravesite by a tree in our backyard. Thanks to everyone who gave me helpful suggestions.

 

[unkadug]

sorry