New member but sad news

New member but sad news · by seagal Thu 15 Dec 2016, 2:41 pm

Hi. I'm new here. I adopted 4 mice I think a year ago.
I got the mom and her 3 girls. All have been doing great and I take very good care of them. I went away for 2weeks and told my husband to make sure they had food and water. When I got home, one of the kids must have just died (she was the smallest). Mom and the other girls were very thin and lethargic. I immediately cleaned the cage food and water. They drank water forever it seemed like and now after 3 days they're eating, drinking, running running around. My husband said they all looked fine the day before i got home. I miss Brownie so much. I was wondering wondering if anyone had any idea what could have happened to Brownie and why the other ones looked so bad but now seem fine. They're about a year or a little older. Had a mouse before my daughter saved from being eaten by a snake in her college biology lab but he died when he was about 2. She has the girls 2 brothers now but has to keep them in separate cages (we use aquariums). Now I'm wondering if it got too cold in their room, hmm. One more question. Would it be bad to get another mouse? Thanks!

Re: New member but sad news · by CallaLily Thu 15 Dec 2016, 2:56 pm

Welcome!

Are you sure whoever was caring for them in those two weeks was feeding and watering them right the whole time? Is it possible they were forgotten about until just before you came home? Just a thought I had. I hope I don't sound rude by asking.

Do you know how cold it may have gotten in their room while you were away?

It wouldn't be bad to get another mouse. She'll need to go through a 3 week quarantine before being introduced to the others. By then you would be sure that she and the others didn't have any illness.

Be right back with links...

Re: New member but sad news · by CallaLily Thu 15 Dec 2016, 2:59 pm

Quarantine info: https://petmousefanciers.forumotion.com/t7-quarantine.

Info on introductions: https://petmousefanciers.forumotion.com/t19-keeping-mice-together-introducing-them

Re: New member but sad news · by scaredymouse Thu 15 Dec 2016, 3:10 pm

It is not uncommon for the roller ball in the water bottles to get stuck. It's quite possible they were without water for a long time. Did you happen to notice how much water was left in the bottle when you cleaned the tank?

Brownie might have just been the weakest and couldn't hold on where as the others were able to recover.

So it wouldn't be bad to get another mouse but introductions can be tricky and the new mouse needs to be quarantined for three weeks and always has the potential to be pregnant. If it were me, I wouldn't mess with a good thing and just stick with my 3 mice. In fact, mice do best in groups of three due to the way their social hierarcy is set up.

Also, welcome too the forum. Feel free at have a look around and ask any questions you have. And I'm very sorry for your loss. I'm glad your other girls are okay. If it was the water bottle, it happens with all of them. I make a habit if tapping the roller ball tip to make sure its working at least once a day. I've almost lost pets because of malfunctioning water bottles.

Re: New member but sad news · by Peachy Thu 15 Dec 2016, 3:32 pm

Welcome to the forum! Mouse Wave

We've all had our share of complicated introductions, but more often than not introductions work out just fine. If you want a fourth mouse and are prepared to deal with it not working, there's nothing wrong with going for it. We'd love to meet your girls if you have any pictures! Smile

Re: New member but sad news · by CallaLily Thu 15 Dec 2016, 3:50 pm

Yes, very good point Scaredy - the water bottle jamming could be an explanation.

Not to stray off topic too much - but I always thought the "3 is best" thing was a minimum. Not that HUGE groups would be easily done but that 3 was just the least number recommended in a group because of colony dynamics. Less than 3 may lead to loneliness or one gal being picked on a lot -- but 3 or more balances things out and cushions the sudden loss of one in the group.

Though, as was said, not every group works and it's good to be prepared for that just in case. But that's always a risk, even with groups that have already been established.

Re: New member but sad news · by scaredymouse Thu 15 Dec 2016, 10:44 pm

From what I understand, the problem with larger groups is that is can lead to split colonies. For instance, if you got 4 mice, the mice could pair off and you could potentially end up with 2 duos- neither of which have a peacemaker. Obviously, that's not a given but weird things like that can happen with larger colonies.

Re: New member but sad news · by stephlisa Fri 16 Dec 2016, 1:41 am

Welcome to the forum! I'm sorry to hear about your mouse :-( I don't have any words of advice as I've not had a group of girls before but wanted to welcome you :-)

Re: New member but sad news · by CinnamonPearl Fri 16 Dec 2016, 5:54 am

Welcome to the forum!

So sorry to hear about what happened. It sounds to me like either their water bottle wa jammed or they weren't getting enough food and water while you were gone.

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