Dying voles...2 left out of 7

[jo_schmoe]

#5 just passed in my hands....I haven't a clue why. His breathing became shallow then he was gasping for breath....this went on for about 15 mins...then he was gone.
The 2 that remain seem pretty good....but so did this one just 2 hrs ago.
I know that rats ar lactose intolerant. Maybe they can't handle the FV.
If ANYONE knows anything about mice or rats...please respond.
I am trying so hard....I just can't give up.

[UDoWhat]

Jo I have been looking at identifications for Deer Mice. I really think they are this. An old book/article I found says they are very hard to raise. It suggests getting a surrogate lactating mother mouse from a pet store. IDK, seems creepy, I don't know why? Short of that, I would do the half FV/half GM formula. Or go 1/4FV 3/4 GM or even all goat milk only. I'm grasping here. I will keep looking. Sorry Jo.

Marty

[MiriamS]

Oh I'm sorry Amy, that can't be easy to go through. At least you know you're doing your best.

[jo_schmoe]

The two beans are still staying tough. Im reading up on care of pinkie rats....lactose will kill them from what it says. Sounds like some have luck with a soy based infant formula. I just gave them a round of pedialite....and no deaths. :thinking That makes me really wonder about the FV. ( not that FV is bad....but the 32/40 I have for the squirrels is not appropriate for a vole or mouse or whatever these beans are). When the others passed....it was always about 30 mins after a feeding. They all poohed every time and loads of pee so I know it wasn't just simple dehydration.
I will do 2 rounds of the pedialite...and jet to the store when they open at 6 and pick up some soy formula. Im all out of ideas. :dono

[jo_schmoe]

Jo I have been looking at identifications for Deer Mice. I really think they are this. An old book/article I found says they are very hard to raise. It suggests getting a surrogate lactating mother mouse from a pet store. IDK, seems creepy, I don't know why? Short of that, I would do the half FV/half GM formula. Or go 1/4FV 3/4 GM or even all goat milk only. I'm grasping here. I will keep looking. Sorry Jo.

Marty
Thanks Marty. I too looked up deer mice...but the tails are way too long. These guys tails are maybe 3/4 of an inch. Thats not a bad idea to get a surrogate...would be even better if I could find one that was giving birth...then I could graft these guys and the chances of the mom taking them would be greatly increased. I had great success grafting my lambs when triplets were born....the other ewe would take right to them.

[jo_schmoe]

The 2 are still with us!!!! Makes me really lean towards it being the FV. They have only had pedialite the last 2 feedings and they seem real good. Very active and both had good potty time!
Going to get the soy formula here in a few. Lets pray this works.

[pappy1264]

I posted this last night. Please read it, I think it may help these two!!!!



http://www.avidpet.com/rodents-orphan-babies.html

[jo_schmoe]

I posted this last night. Please read it, I think it may help these two!!!!



http://www.avidpet.com/rodents-orphan-babies.html
Thank you very much Mary!!!
Im willing to try just about anything at this point. I did try goats milk and still lost 2.....but then again....Im not positive it was what they were eating that was picking them off or not. :dono although....I am leaning towards the lactose intolerant theory.

[pappy1264]

There is always the possibility (although this far out less likely) tha mom ingested poison and her milk damaged their organs, so slowly loosing them to organ failure. But who knows for sure. Just trying to find something that might help. Sending tons of prayers!

[SammysMom]

Sammy prayers coming your way too! You couldn't be a better momma to these little ones without knowing what they are. Keep up the good work! :grouphug :grouphug

[island rehabber]

jo I've done two litters of pinky mice -- deer mice and then regular old house mice. They are near impossible to keep alive and I lost three out of four the first time and four out of six the second time. It's heartbreaking because, unlike squirrels which almost always live for me if I can get them past the first 12 hrs, these babies would do well for 4-5 days and then croak on me. :( However when I took in six deer mice babies who had fur already, all of them made it. I think it's the pinkies that are nigh impossible. I used FV 32/40 with all of them. :dono Keep up the good fight, lady -- bless you for working so hard for these teeny ones!

[Pierre]

IR is right, pinkie mice and rats are very very hard for some reason. We just obviously don't know the best formula to feed them, as mine always ate well.

I see you are going to get human infant soy formula---that's considered the best for rat babies [it's closest to rat mothers' milk]. They powdered formula is cheaper and lasts longer.

A surrogate would be a great alternative. Many many animal mommas will take in all kinds of orphaned babies, suckling and cleaning them as their own. :Love_Icon

Good luck!

[jo_schmoe]

IR is right, pinkie mice and rats are very very hard for some reason. We just obviously don't know the best formula to feed them, as mine always ate well.

I see you are going to get human infant soy formula---that's considered the best for rat babies [it's closest to rat mothers' milk]. They powdered formula is cheaper and lasts longer.

A surrogate would be a great alternative. Many many animal mommas will take in all kinds of orphaned babies, suckling and cleaning them as their own. :Love_Icon

Good luck!

Still hanging on!!! Took the soy formula well...thanks for the prayers....keep em comin!!!
I had no clue how hard these tiny guys really are...after all..the call for them said they were squirrels.
Hopefully these 2 will make it.

[jo_schmoe]

Still hanging on!!! Took the soy formula well...thanks for the prayers....keep em comin!!!
I had no clue how hard these tiny guys really are...after all..the call for them said they were squirrels.
Hopefully these 2 will make it.
If they do make it throughout the day....I will go and start searching for a surrogate mama. Any specific kind of mouse I should get?

[Pierre]

You're doing a great job! Yes, it's frustrating that they are so hard. They are easier overall if you can keep them alive because they start weaning at about 2 weeks [when their eyes open] and are done formula between 4-5. After two weeks, you can just mix the formula into some baby oatmeal cereal and let them eat it that way. Easier than sqs in that regard!

If you go for a surrogate, I would think any nursing mouse would be fine. Realize, you'll have to take the whole brood for a bit... :D

[UDoWhat]

My old info says these mice/moles whatever are all closely related and most any close surrogate mom will take as their own. I will pray and pray. Fight the good fight little ones and Jo. :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

Marty

[jo_schmoe]

You're doing a great job! Yes, it's frustrating that they are so hard. They are easier overall if you can keep them alive because they start weaning at about 2 weeks [when their eyes open] and are done formula between 4-5. After two weeks, you can just mix the formula into some baby oatmeal cereal and let them eat it that way. Easier than sqs in that regard!

If you go for a surrogate, I would think any nursing mouse would be fine. Realize, you'll have to take the whole brood for a bit... :D
Russ just brought up a good question. Will the surrogate eat them?? He said that he's seen lots of mice and rats eat their young....:thinking
Just pinished another soy feeding...still strong....still hanging in there.
They weigh 5 gms....and are eating .2 ccs per feeding.

[pappy1264]

If she is taking good care of her own, no, should not try to eat them....but, not every mom is willing to take on others babies (esp. a totally different animal), so you will have to really watch closely. Its a damned it you do kind of thing, unfortunately.

[Tickle's Mom]

:Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon

[Fireweed]

:grouphug

[Jackie in Tampa]

I have no advise, but sending good healthy vibes:Love_Icon

[jo_schmoe]

The last little bean has passed. There was nothing more I could do but keep them warm and fed and show them as much love as I could.
RIP little beans.....:Love_Icon

[stosh2010]

No more Worries.....No more Fear

RIP Little Dudes

[pappy1264]

Sleep softly little ones....I am so very sorry. But they felt your love and took that with them.

[Tickle's Mom]

:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[Fireweed]

Oh, that's so sad. :( Rest in peace, seven little mystery dwarves... And big hugs to you, Jo. :grouphug

[Pierre]

I'm so sorry Jo. :( You did everything you could. RIP tiny ones.

[UDoWhat]

Jo, I am sorry you lost these littlie ones. I know you tried . You did all that could be done. All seven at the bridge together to cross over. :Love_Icon

[mugzeezma]

The last little bean has passed. There was nothing more I could do but keep them warm and fed and show them as much love as I could.
RIP little beans.....:Love_Icon

Aw Jo
I'm so sad for you!
I know how hard you and Russ were trying to get these little beans going.
Know this though...You gave them a chance:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Ronda]

:grouphug You tried so hard and did so much..RIP lil mystery babes

[spykitten01]

Im so sorry =( You fought like crazy for their little lives. RIP little beans :grouphug