My mouse

[Ninedays9]

I was holding my mouse, and I noticed she has a pretty big lump right near her leg, and it's hard. I'm wondering if it's some type of tumor... even though she doesn't act like she's sick. She seems fine, otherwise. But then again, I don't know if mice ever do act like they're sick.

Yes, it is just a mouse that my sister paid, I think $2 for, and they don't have as much personality as cats and dogs, but it's still an animal and a pet... and I'd feel really bad if she was sick. In fact, it's worrying me enough that I'm going to push aside school work even more and go look stuff up on it. Hopefully she's alright... she's already over a year old, and I don't think mice live very long.

[Ninedays9]

Ok, after looking into one post about rats, I'm pretty sure it is a tumor of some sort. It sounds like because rats and mice are used in research, they have genes that are prone to getting tumors and things of that nature. I'm still not sure what to think on if they even act like they're sick 'cause she's acting very normally.

So now the question is... do I take her to the vet? How much does getting it removed cost?

Blah this is making me feel bad because I noticed it a little bit the other day and didn't think anything of it... and there's really not anything I can do at 2:25 am, anyway.

[Thalia_themuse]

My sister has had a lot of mice now, about 4 or so have died of tumours. She says there isn't much that can be done - they get a tumour, they're fine for a while but eventually it gets too big and they die :bbsad:

It's like when we had pet hermit crabs, the most useful info we could find on them being sick was "Sometimes hermit crabs get sick and will become slow and sluggish. If you notice this, they are close to death." :urgh: Helpful, really...

Sorry your mouse is sick... I'm honestly not sure there is a lot the vet can do, and I'm not sure how well mice do in surgery... sorry I'm not much help :bbsad:

[Ninedays9]

Thanks for the reply. I didn't really think much could be done. I'm going to see what Eddie thinks when he wakes up. But I think I'll probably just end up making sure that she gets lots of TLC and is happy... 'cause I'm pretty sure she doesn't even realize that anything is wrong at the moment, so she'll still enjoy attention and popcorn treats (they have little corn cobs that you can pop just for small critters).

I just kind of wish I wasn't so senstive about it 'cause I can't even imagine how I'll be when I have a cat (or maybe a dog if we can find one that I like) and it gets sick.... And then what happens when I have a kid, and the kid gets sick? Ahh, such are the matters of life... I guess I'll deal with those things as they come up.

[Nekochanpurr]

oh no! i hope your mouse is okay..!

[WebLady]

I don't know anything about rodents, but I would think if it was a tumor and you caught it soon enough that there would be some sort of treatment.

I was curious about the life span of mice and found this here (http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/careofmice/a/mousecare.htm) -

Their short life span is one of the biggest drawbacks of mice. On average they live for about 1.5-2 years, although they can sometimes live up to 3 years.

Even if there isn't much they can do, I would at least call a vet to be sure what it is and what if anything can be done.

All the best!

[He_calls_me_Angel]

If you take her to a vet you have to find one with an "exotic animal" license... call your local pet co and ask who they use. Just know that if you bring her it will cost and arm and a leg. DH had a teddy bear hamster "stevie Mcqueen" that ended up with wet tail, I felt bad because I was taking care of her so I found a vet to take her to, they gave me meds for her and charged me 90$ for it, she got better, but a month later my mom was holding her and she just laid down in her hand and died. I'm assuming it was old age because she was 3.

I cried, I won't lie, I loved that little rat! It's always so hard when a pet dies no matter what size!

In your situation though, she seems happy, and I really don't think there is much they can do for her. But I say call and ask anyway, you never know. But other wise, just let her be happy and live what she has left.


I'm so sorry

[caligal85]

Aw I'm a hamster girl myself. I'm sorry your little furball isn't feeling well.

[Ninedays9]

I asked my sister what she thought because she, at one point, was majoring in vet science. She said that it's hard for vets to operate on small animals, and even if they do take it off, it'll probably come back. I think I've had her for a year and 2 or 3 months. I'm not sure how old she was when I got her, though I'm sure they sell pretty young mice.

My sister was kinda funny, though, she said that if my mouse, who I named Lucy does die, she'll get me another one and I can name her Ethel. She was the one that got Lucy and the cage and initial care items for me. I'm not sure I'd want another mouse though... I feel too guilty about things like not taking her out of her cage for her hour of play time every day. I think I'll just wait until I can get a cat.

[He_calls_me_Angel]

I asked my sister what she thought because she, at one point, was majoring in vet science. She said that it's hard for vets to operate on small animals, and even if they do take it off, it'll probably come back. I think I've had her for a year and 2 or 3 months. I'm not sure how old she was when I got her, though I'm sure they sell pretty young mice.

My sister was kinda funny, though, she said that if my mouse, who I named Lucy does die, she'll get me another one and I can name her Ethel. She was the one that got Lucy and the cage and initial care items for me. I'm not sure I'd want another mouse though... I feel too guilty about things like not taking her out of her cage for her hour of play time every day. I think I'll just wait until I can get a cat.


Poor little thing! I told DH we couldn't get any more rodents, I can't handle having a pet die on me every few years.... get a cat lol they have nine lives!

[Ninedays9]

Aww, I'm glad I'm not the only one that gets so sensitive about even a mouse or small animal dying. I've been basically a nervous wreck, wondering how long it'll be and what she'll be like when it gets close. I hate to think of her being in pain. I definitely think I'll go for a cat as a next pet.

[Ninedays9]

To update... I won't go into details, but the mouse did die, :(. It was peacefully though and not painfully, so it was somewhat of a relief while still sad to me.

Interestingly enough, it was actually the first time I ever actually let all of my emotions out in front of Eddie. Believe it or not, I had never cried in front of him before.... and I was trying not to this time but couldn't avoid it. I'm not sure why I do that... I'm like that when movies are sad, too... I try at all costs to avoid crying in front of people. But really, I do think that part of it was a good thing... opened an emotional gate for me to fully realize that it's ok to show that much emotion around him. It made me realize all the more that I have an amazing fiance 'cause he was so sympathetic and cute about it, hehe. :)

Annnnyway... I know I said I didn't think I wanted another mouse, but I miss having her around more than I thought I would. Since we can't get a cat for at least another several months, I'm debating if I want to get another mouse. It is sad when they die, but I still think it was worth having her. What do you all think, should I get another mouse, or should I wait til I can get a cat?

[WebLady]

Sorry about your loss :hug:

Glad your FH was there for you :)

I don't know what to tell you about getting another one, that is up to you guys.

All the best!