Yet another tragedy. I need advice!

by Oreoandfriends Thu 17 Dec 2020, 9:44 pm

I really hate to be making yet another sad thread so close to my last one, but something else terrible happened.
I bought 2 new young mice from my local breeder a few weeks ago to introduce to my current lone female. They’ve been quarantined and had been doing great.
Tonight I set up a neutral tank to introduce the mice in for the first time, I got my lone girl Sprig out and added in Bloom who was walking around already. I assumed Sprout was sleeping, but she would’ve usually came out by then. I eventually found her dead body in the bedding.
I’m devastated over this, but Bloom seems to be much more. She’s been sitting in one spot looking extremely sad ever since I went to get her out. She was barely reacting to the introduction to Sprig. I’m also terrified that I potentially spread some sort of illness to Sprig now if that’s what killed Sprout.
I’m just in need of any advice. Do you think I should keep doing introductions with the 2 since they’re both so lonely or do I need to quarantine? The new mice haven’t shown any signs of illness, it was more of just a sudden death.
Any input is appreciated, thanks.

by River Fri 18 Dec 2020, 2:39 am

How old was sprout? She may have simply been old. I am a little confused though, were Bloom and Sprout housed together already? If so, they have already been exposed and there's no reason to quarantine again.

by Oreoandfriends Fri 18 Dec 2020, 9:48 pm

River wrote:How old was sprout? She may have simply been old. I am a little confused though, were Bloom and Sprout housed together already? If so, they have already been exposed and there's no reason to quarantine again.

Thanks for the reply! Sorry I should’ve been more specific. I bought Sprout and Bloom about 2-3 weeks ago from a local breeder. They are around 10 weeks old so I definitely don’t think it was from old age unfortunately, but I know sometimes mice just die from unexplainable reasons. Sprout and Bloom are sisters and we’re already housed together, Sprig is my lone female that I’ve had since March who lives in a separate cage right now. I decided to introduce them again tonight since Bloom seemed to feel a bit better and I’ve really been wanting to give Sprig company again (I really don’t think Sprout died from a disease). I plan on introducing them in a neutral playpen for a few days/switching toys and bedding and eventually moving them into a 20 gallon L tank until they’re bonded, then they can both move into the 800 square inch bin cage.
They’re names can definitely get confusing since they’re pretty similar lol!

by River Fri 18 Dec 2020, 10:14 pm

I see! I would let the breeder know about the death. Sprig has already been introduced to Bloom so if Sprout did have a disease, she's already been exposed to it. There's no reason not to continue with introductions, I agree. Best of luck, and sorry for your loss.

by Oreoandfriends Fri 18 Dec 2020, 10:36 pm

River wrote:I see! I would let the breeder know about the death. Sprig has already been introduced to Bloom so if Sprout did have a disease, she's already been exposed to it. There's no reason not to continue with introductions, I agree. Best of luck, and sorry for your loss.

Okay thank you! And yes I’ll definitely reach out to the breeder. She’s pretty new to it and she’s working on making her lines much stronger so I’m sure she’s like to know. Today’s introduction went great and I’m hoping the following ones will too Smile