Found An Injured Mouse...Not Sure What To Do

[Rhona]

We spotted it on the way home, at the side of the road, with flies crawling on it, and couldn't bring myself to just leave it there. It's in a cardboard box at the moment, with some shredded paper, a tiny bit of water and some grated apple and cereal. It looks like one leg is badly injured, and there's a little blood but can't where it's coming from.

I called the local Wild Animal Rescue but the 'phone is unstaffed until tomorrow. The RSPCA say to contact local vet, but a quick call to them sounds like they will just put it down if I drop it off with them tonight.

It doesn't look at all well, but it is still alive and moving around a little. It's covered with fleas and is sort of doing a rhythmic jerking thing with its jaw.

Anyone got any suggestions for the poor thing?

[mothhawk]

If you had left it where you found it, most likely it would have died. You can't do anything for it, so if it survives the night and you can get it to the Animal Rescue tomorrow, at least you've given it a fighting chance.

I'm not sentimental about animals, and personally don't like to see any creature suffer, or let them suffer if I can do something. So I would have killed it. Sorry.

[Verinda]

I think it is lovely of you to rescue the mouse. I remember when my budgie escaped for a week (a miracle that he survived and I got him back) he was just exhausted and starving so I phoned the lady who runs the animal shelter for some advice on how to help him and she said she gives her needy animals a good dose of Bach's rescue remedy! So I went and bought some and it certainly did seem to give him a boost and he's still here to tell the tale!

I hope your mouse survives the night, let us know.

[Scarlet]

I'm sorry to say I would have killed it too to put it out of its misery but every one is different! I think if it lasts the night and you manage to get it to a shelter they will probably pts.

[arpoet]

Having several mice families in my garden, I have a soft spot for them. So I would have tried to get it through the night. If it survived I would have set it free when it was able to cope.

But I am an old softie.

[mrbadexample]

It doesn't look at all well, but it is still alive and moving around a little. It's covered with fleas and is sort of doing a rhythmic jerking thing with its jaw.

Sorry but I think you've just prolonged the agony. Please put it out of its misery or take it to the vet for them to do it.

[Nicos]

I've pm'd you.

[Knight of Albion]

We spotted it on the way home, at the side of the road, with flies crawling on it, and couldn't bring myself to just leave it there. It's in a cardboard box at the moment, with some shredded paper, a tiny bit of water and some grated apple and cereal. It looks like one leg is badly injured, and there's a little blood but can't where it's coming from.

I called the local Wild Animal Rescue but the 'phone is unstaffed until tomorrow. The RSPCA say to contact local vet, but a quick call to them sounds like they will just put it down if I drop it off with them tonight.

It doesn't look at all well, but it is still alive and moving around a little. It's covered with fleas and is sort of doing a rhythmic jerking thing with its jaw.

Anyone got any suggestions for the poor thing?

That was a very kind thing to do, dear Rhona. Bless your heart.

I think the Rescue Remedy is a good idea, if you have some. Other than that, just leave him be. He may pull through and be better in the morning, or he may pass away peacefully in the night. Either way you did right by him the best you could.
And if it is to be the latter, he at least experienced the warmth of human kindness.

[noviceveggrower]

Hi
I think you are just going to have to wait til morning to see if he is still with you. Then if he is see what the Animal Rescue say or recommend.
By the sounds of it he is either injured, poisoned or maybe its his time to die.
I think you need to be a certain type of person to be able to put an animal out of pain. I know I couldn't do it.

[Noosner]

Fingers crossed for the mouse! Let us know what happens tomorrow.

[Nicos]

Did it make it through the night Rhona?

[Noosner]

Yes, any news on the little creature? Just posting this to bump it up the 'new posts' ratings.

[Bill HH]

I know this will be unpopular but quite frankly it sounds to me like he has had his chips. The kindest thing is to put him out of his misery as quickly as possible. Sometimes it can be unintentionally cruel trying to be kind.

[Knight of Albion]

I was wondering too.

Maybe the little chap perked up and was set free the next morning with a new lease of life... Maybe he passed quietly in the night and is now enjoying spirit life in the great mouse hole in the sky.
Either way he went on his way having known a touch of human kindness.

Thank God for gentle, caring people.

[Knight of Albion]

The subject of mercy killing has been raised in this thread. Something which has credence when there is suffering with no hope of recovery.
But only the person there at the time can make that judgement call.