About Jess Expertise I can answer questions about most species of rodents. I will answer any questions about health, husbandry and welfare. I can also give advise about behaviour problems, how to overcome these and ways of enriching the life of your pet. I can help with those wanting advice about house rabbits.
Experience I have experience with rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, gerbils, hamsters and chincillas.
Education/Credentials I am qualified in animal management, I work as a veterinary nurse.
Question hi.
i have a mother mouse that gave birth 2 a litter of 11 (!) 2 weeks ago. There was a runt int he litter, but i left it to let nature take its course. However, now all the other babys are furry and theur eyes are open, but my runt is still teh size she was wen born etc. So...i've decided to hand raise her. I pretty much know what im doing, but i need some pointers, like how much to i feed, when, is kitten formula OK, what temperature and so on. PLEASE emial me back as i dont want this runt to die. Right now im giving a bit in a little syringe every 2 hourse in the day.
Answer The best thing to do would be to use gloves and remove half of the litter for an hour then remove the other half of the litter, each time keep the runt in the group. The runt needs its mothers milk for antibodies otherwise it will probably die since it is already small and weak. If it is handfed it wont have these antibodies and the slightest infection will probably kill it, either now or later on in life. In a group of 5 or 6, the runt should be able to get a lot more food. Make sure you dont get your scent on the babies and that you dont leave them apart too long. good luck
