Field mice advice

[AngelSteele]

Hi

I need field mice advice and I am hoping that someone on here can give me some field mice help. Yesterday evening I found in my garden a baby field mouse (well I think he is a field mouse - a a vole). One of my cats had obviously caught him and brought him into the garden. There was a chewed body of another one close by. I took him into the house and from what I could see he wasn't actually bleeding but was obviously in shock. However he has improved overnight and has had some water and small amounts of cat food. He has been curled up in the folds of my daughter's dressing gown - imagine he likes the warmth from her. Can anyone offer any advice as to what we should do? Incidentally he seems to walk round in circles so not sure whether has internal injuries. thanks

[hachidori]

First of all, if he has large ears and eyes, and a pale belly, he is a mouse (a wood mouse / field mouse - both are the same species)... If he has small ears and eyes, and a blunt face, with gingery or greyish fur, he is a vole. He will either be a short-tailed vole, or a bank vole. Can you take a picture of him?

If he is eating and drinking and moving around, I would think that you are probably okay to let him go outside, maybe under some brambles, or in an area of good cover.

If you are really worried, take him to a vet or phone the rspca. Alternatively you could contact your local mammal group - as some mammal groups have people experienced in caring for sick and injured wildlife. What area are you in?

Bear in mind that you are probably okay to let him go outside, and that the life expectancy in the wild of most rodents can be as little as 6 months anyway, due to natural predators and environmental factors. He may be best off given the chance to survive on his own, rather than subject him to the stress of a vet's examination.

I have treated several rodents before, and they often brighten up, as shock is one of the worst things for them. A couple of days of food, water and rest seems to work wonders!

Hope this helps.

[AngelSteele]

Yes I think from what you say he is a baby vole. Will see how he is this evening and if he continues to improve we will find somewhere suitable to release him - not in our garden though as we have four cats - one of which brought him to me. He is such a lovely little fellow - my daughter took a photo and I will upload on to here later when I get home. thanks for your reply!

[vole-woman]

Bill Oddie keeps saying it's been a good year for voles.

Best of luck with the little chap.

[paulinemiller10]

I have field mice at the bottom of my garden, I feed them every night, they are very pretty with their big eyes, they like chopped peanuts best, a little cheese and seeds, I would keep your little mouse for a while, keep him warm, give him some peanuts and see how he gets on, if the cat has put his claws in through the skin, he may get an infection which may kill him in a few days, or he might get better, let us know how he gets on. Pauline.

[AngelSteele]

Sad to report the little fellow passed away about an hour ago. Still he lived longer than had he have been left in our garden at the mercy of our cat. He was obviously injured he he couldn't stand on his legs properly - kept veering to one side. We will bury him this evening. All very sad. Thanks for your advice on here.

[vole-woman]

At least you tried.

[paulinemiller10]

Originally Posted by AngelSteele

Sad to report the little fellow passed away about an hour ago. Still he lived longer than had he have been left in our garden at the mercy of our cat. He was obviously injured he he couldn't stand on his legs properly - kept veering to one side. We will bury him this evening. All very sad. Thanks for your advice on here.

Oh thats sad Angel, it's so upsetting when you get so fond of them, at least you gave him a chance.
I find some animals can hardly walk, but with food and heat they will pull through, and other's don't seem to have anything wrong, and will die in a few days, if an animal has put his claw deep into the body, you can't see any injury, it's just a pin hole, but the infection starts deep inside poor things, and I think thats why they are ok for a couple of days. Pauline.

[demicav]

It's sad but you know you did your best, that's the main thing.

[AngelSteele]

Thanks Pauline. I have just buried him - in fact it was a double burial as the same cat that brought him to me on Monday brought another one this evening - this one was in a very bad way and lived for about 10 minutes so his (or her) suffering was short. Oh well I know it's nature but it is still very sad.