[jujubee18]

I've been gone for awhile; and this is why: The mouse I have gone on about, that gave birth to my little cow mice died yesterday from complications of yet another unexpected birth. Before you go on about how one birth after another is bad, I know and it wasn't me who got her pregnant. It was my cousin who didn't take the male out in time after her first birth. Now the real unfortunate thing is that even though she was dying; she was still trying to feed her babies. So i had a few decisions. Do i put them all out of their misery? or do I try my best to save what i can? You can probably guess; as this is in the current litters section. I went to the store while Mojo was trying to nurse her young one last time. [I didn't put her out because i needed a heating pad to keep the babies warm, and needed something to keep them warm] I have no other lactating mice, because I thought I was through with breeding for a little while. Taking a "break". NOPE

This is what I got:
1. Heating pad
2. Very small paint brush
3. Goats Milk Esbilac [find it at almost any pet store]

Yeah...I'm had feeding all 11 of them. Born on 6/21/10, they are only 3 or 4 days old. I have heard the chance of them surviving is about 20%, but I am trying my best. Next feeding is at 10 pm. It takes me an hour to hydrate the powdered milk, get some warm water, and feed them all. Then I have two hours before the process starts all over. Thankfully I have help. My mother is also talking "shifts". I get to take a nap before dinner, because I have a long night ahead of me. Then around 5 or 6 am she takes over again, and lets me sleep in and get my hours.

It is a long process. I take a pinkie, rub its tummy with warm water and a Q-tip to wake up their system a little. then I dip the brush in warm milk, and stick it in their mouth. It was difficult in the beginning getting them to take it nicely, but they are finally eating and sucking it down. then i have to clean them again and make sure their genital area is especially clean....then grab another >.< I'm tired, and worn out, but id rather be extremely sleep deprived then just pop them in the freezer. My heart is just too soft. Thats all. [side note that the milk needs to be refrigerated, after it is all mixed.]

I didn't want to write about what I am doing,because I almost feel stupid caring so much about things that seem so insignificant, but my mother told me I should write about it just in case someone else wanted, or needed to do it. This is a first time for me, and two have already passed away, but considering the other 11 are perfectly fine. I hope this helps someone else out there. I will keep you posted, and give pictures along the way. You all know how fond of pictures I am...

Here is my set up:

I took a large tub, and put the heating pad in it so it wouldn't start a fire. The heating pad is on a low setting. Then I put a smaller cage with litter and some torn up tissue in the bottom. My mom mad the little crocheted nest. It is pretty much just a cup holder shape. Keeps them nice and warm, and together. I have a bowl ready for warm water, Two brushes, and a syringe made for small animals, that they may be using when they get older. and a large supply of Q-tips. I took off the lid of the cage, but it is usually on, and I place the top of the tub lightly on top, just for extra protection from my cat.

What you can't see is that I have a ton of snacks for myself for when I am up at 4 in the morning, and a pillow is usually there for the comfort of my butt :] My mom also has a nice comfy chair for when she joins me to help with the feeding occasionally. Thank you mom!

This is the formula that I have. Made specially for small animals. [Special thanks to that guy that checked me out at the pet store, who wished me good luck and gave me three free candy bars] Nom Nom Nom. For a Person who is sleep deprived I am happy.

Good news: I'm back HI!!

 

[jujubee18]

No...Mojo was a fairly young mouse. She was kind of nasty sometimes, but I have to say out of all the does I have had, she was the best mother. I kind of feel like i owe it to her to try and raise them, because she tried so hard to let them live...gah its just really sad.

 

[jujubee18]

No, i meant it takes about an hour for me to mix it up, clean up the mice, and feed them. All I have heard of working is kitten formula, and this stuff, but it really only takes about a minute to make.

 

[jujubee18]

I used to rescue birds, though i know it is illegal and i should have taken them to the wild life "rescue" centre, but the few times i did and called them back to see how the birds were doing they told me they passed away that night. I just figured out if I took care of them they had a better chance of living. I've saved about 5 birds, and when they started to fledge i took them into the rescue centre. Mice seem much more difficult cause they don't open their mouth wide like this : O its more like you have to shove it in when they sort of open their mouth >.< and they don't make noises other than a little tapping sound when they are hungry. When I woke up this morning my mom told me 2 more have died. I don't expect many of them to live, but I am just hoping some will make it. If one makes it I will probably name it Mojo the second or something along those lines. XD

 

[jujubee18]

today has been very unlucky. 3 babies are left. I'm a little mad about it, because they always seem to die when my mother takes care of them, but when i see her take care of them she is doing a fine job. I didn't expect this to be a fairy tale, but i always just hoped. I'm feeling a little discouraged >.<

 

[jujubee18]

Two mice are still alive and are eating practically every hour. Their tummies are so full of milk that they look like marbles O.O I hope these two survive.

 

[jujubee18]

I have pictures of the little marble tummies :] They eat so much sometimes I worry they will burst, but I think it is just them trying to catch up. You cant see it in the pics but they are starting to get some very faint hair, and their whiskers of course are already here. 5 days old. I can't wait for the fur to come in. One looks like it is black broken like its mother, but the other just looks like none of the other siblings Mojo had. I'm up for a mystery. May still be some sort of broken, not exactly sure.

the next one fell asleep in my hand after i filled it up. ZZZZZZZ

I don't want to jinx it, but if they both live I'm going to name one Moe, and the other Joe. Get it ?
:]

 

[jujubee18]

They are a bit behind in development, but they are starting to get hair. kind of the velvet stage :] It is hard for them to develop as quickly without a mouse mommy. I'm getting really attached to these guys. I only slept 4 hours last night. YAY!!

 

[jujubee18]

Unfortunately a few hours ago the last of them passed away...I was really sad considering i spent most of my time with them the last week, but I was so tired it didn't phase me much...They definitely went to mousie heaven...if there is such a place XD

Bad ending to what i was hoping would be an inspirational post. Sorry to disappoint.

 

[jujubee18]

Thanks guys :] Means a lot to me that you were all here. I definitely got some sleep last night.