Yesterday, my 7-year-old walked into the kitchen saying, "Aw, isn't it cuuuttee?" Uh-oh, I thought. What now? In her had was this little guy. Emphasis on little. It was obvious the damn cat had been at it again. He kills and/or maims everything he can get his paws on. Dear daughter found this mouse near her sand pit. I grabbed the first box I could find, and some polyester fiberfill from my sewing room. Instant nest. What now? I went online and did a search on "What to feed a baby rodent." We went out and bought evaporated milk, eggs, and corn syrup. (Weird, right?) We mixed and put some in a eye dropper. This little guy was definitely going to have to get used to eating this way, and we were going to have to get used to having a newborn in the house again! He has a gash on one side, thanks to the #$%^ cat, so I prepared my daughter for the worst. I was pretty sure this guy wouldn't last the afternoon, let alone the night. Regardless, we held him, fed him what he would take, and did our best to clean him up. (The formula gets everywhere) His eyes are not yet opened, but he does have fur. I read that in order to make sure his systems work properly, it is necessary to gently rub the private area, and that without this step, the mouse would surely die. We did it. We offered him food every hour. When awake, the little guy got quite active. He was obviously strong for his age, and not so broken inside that he couldn't move around. We got ready for bed. Around midnight, I woke up, worried. Hubby told me the mouse was squeaking like crazy. I got up and prepared to feed him. (Yes, I'm certain it's a him.) The little guy was absolutely frozen. Shoot! I held him and fed him and he quickly warmed up. I set him back in the box, and went back to bed. Hubby woke me at 4:30 a.m. when he got up, and I got ready to feed him again. He was ice cold! I held him again and fed him. Most feedings he's not eating much, but he did eat quite a bit at one feeding. I was nervous to leave him again, but returned him to his box. I brought him into the bedroom, thinking it might be a bit warmer in there. I returned to bed, but shortly afterwards, he started squeaking. I picked him up and held him in my hand while lying in bed. He calmed down right away. Poor little guy! My daughter woke up at that point, and we both went downstairs. After that feeding and holding session, both mouse and girl went back to sleep. I have since been reading online, and (lightbulb!) read that a heating pad under the box would work wonders. He has one now. Wish I had thought of that last night! Better late than never. I've also read that a stuffed animal gives them comfort. (Really?) And I've read that baby mice can be fed kitten or puppy or HUMAN formula. So today, we will go shopping for a more proper home for him, and more food. I've read that once a baby mouse gets to be a few weeks old, you can skip the night time feedings. (Oy!) Also, when he's ready for solid food, he can have banana baby food! Anyhow, I'll update as he (hopefully!) progresses. Now to go check on him...
The update is that after purchasing a bunch of stuff for Muzzy the mouse, he passed away. Very sad. We enjoyed knowing him for the short time we got.
