Mouse foster... help needed.

[Dezzi]

So I picked up a foster mouse today (and a hamster, but it's only staying until the permanent foster gets back from vacation). Anyways, I've never had mice before but have done some research. It's eating smaller versions of what my ratties get and has everything it needs, etc, so I think I'm good in that regard. However, I think I might have a slight problem.

I'm pretty sure it's pregnant. I have never sexed a mouse but it doesn't seem to have testicles at the base of it's tail (which I'm guessing males have?) and the big round belly looks pretty damn preggo to me. The head of our foster program who I picked it up from said the same thing. So I'm wondering what I need to look for or if I need to do anything about it. (different diet, litter care, etc)

This was what I tried to get of it's underside to see if someone can sex it. As you can see, it looks like a HUGE belly.


Side shot of the big belly, harder to see as it's sleeping.


If you can tell me what sex it is from that picture, you will amaze me.

[Die Fledermaus]

Thanks for fostering and caring. See some animal, and mouse, rescue threads in the Animal Rescue forum, if you wish.

Please do not call a mouse, especially one you think is pregnant, "it".

If the belly is very big than that is indeed a she.

What does it matter - if you have only one mouse? I only try to sex when there are multiple mice who can get pregnant.

In a week or less there should be babies.

Give them more privacy, more quiet, more dark places to hide, and a little more protein foods for the mom.

Your photos are, sorry to say, too blurry to be of much help.

[Dezzi]

Yeah, I thought the picture was too blurry. I've never scruffed a mouse before and was having trouble getting a clear picture. I will try to get some better ones, possibly some side ones so you can see the belly size.

I call my animals "it" until they have a name. Except one of my dogs... her name was "nothing" for about a week until I came up with a name. I guess for now the name could just be mouse.

I'm worried because I want to be prepared for babies. Could the extra housing be plastic and would I have to remove the wheel?

[Die Fledermaus]

I don't think plastic would matter, but it would likely be better if it was not there, IMO.

I would definitely remove any wheels! And I would not put them back until the babies were juveniles and too big to be spun crazily around in a wheel or get caught and harmed in one.

Sexing juvies is tricky. Another matter for another time. But even after a few weeks take a look at the babies' "parts" and start trying to notice differences. More on that in due course. . .

Best!

[Dezzi]

So as far as names go, I think I'm liking Shmallow (instead of Marshmallow which is incredibly common) or Tupperware (as it came to me in a tupperware container).

I got a few more pictures last night, just haven't had a chance to upload them. They are a bit clearer. I'm tempted to take mouse into the vet to get sexed and see if I need to prepare for babies or prepare a diet!

[Die Fledermaus]

Isn't that going to be expensive? You can do some online searching instead. I have no time, and this old laptop is too slow. You will have to. I even have to look for rodent New Years images as I got no help - see Announcements forum!

[Dezzi]

I know some vets who might do it for free, but I managed to contact a breeder who lives semi-close to me. I'm waiting to hear back from her, because hopefully I'll be able to meet up and skip the vet visit.

[Die Fledermaus]

BTW, if I do not know the gender of a critter I always say "he/she".

[pinky]

Dec 31, 2009 19:41:14 GMT -4 Dezzi said:

So as far as names go, I think I'm liking Shmallow (instead of Marshmallow which is incredibly common) or Tupperware (as it came to me in a tupperware container).

Tupperware! *laughs audibly*

I'm tempted to take mouse into the vet to get sexed and see if I need to prepare for babies or prepare a diet!

Your charge, well-stated and with humor!

Good luck with this--great of you to take on a new challenge.