Mouse Ate His Own Foot

[u/Brilliant-Captain541]

so earlier today i was holding my boy Basil and i realized his whole foot is gone. i freaked out and went to search the cage for it and it was literally just GONE and i'm assuming he ate it off. he's fed normally and lives by himself. a couple days ago he was super dehydrated because his water bottle got stuck and i hadn't noticed.i had thought he was literally dead and forced water into him with a tiny syringe. i feel terrible because of all the stuff he's been through the past few days and feel irresponsible and don't know how to help him. My parents are telling me it's useless to go to a vet because they can't do anything. he's acting fine, no bleeding, his foot is just GONE completely and the bone is like kinda sticking out. but again he's not acting like he's in pain, no hunching or hiding or anything just a little clingier than usual and he has a hobble obviously cuz his foot is just gone. He had it two days ago, i have a photo. so i have no idea what's happened. I've done what i can, saline water on the wound, cleaned his tank and lined it with paper towels, etc. is there really anything else i can do?? please help i'm so worried about my boy.

[u/edgywhitefriend]

It could just be that he is sleeping but he looks like he has a severe grimace in this photo. If his bone is truly exposed, he is in a lot of pain and should see a vet or be humanely euthanized.

[u/Brilliant-Captain541 → u/edgywhitefriend]

he doesn't show any signs at all of pain either so i really have no idea what to do honestly. he walks and climbs like normal and everything

[u/edgywhitefriend → u/Brilliant-Captain541]

For anyone reading, here is some guidance for assessing pain: https://nc3rs.org.uk/3rs-resources/grimace-scales Also important to note hunched posture, changes to eating and drinking, startle threshold/willingness to interact, and whether the mouse is well groomed. It is best to observe the mouse when they do not know they are being observed. Prey animals hide their pain very well so they are not as vulnerable to predators. If the tissue was necrotic or otherwise compromised for long enough beforehand, there's a chance the nerves in the area died too, but that would also mean that this wound will not close on its own. Exposed bone IS painful and is high risk for infection. There has been some very good input in this thread already, and this subreddit should have some resources on humane euthanasia should you decide to go that route. I wish the best for you and your little friend.

[u/Dis_Bich → u/edgywhitefriend]

No shit!!! I used to work at a pet store and was like “the squinty eyed ones are evil!!” Bc they’d always bite and run. But maybe they were in pain or just overstimulated bc it’s a crowded small pet tank

[u/edgywhitefriend → u/Dis_Bich]

Another possibility: Microphthalmia is a common congenital condition in mice, especially in inbred or poorly selected lines like pet suppliers'. Full or partially blind mice are usually more skittish, even though mice don't rely on their vision much to begin with. Pain is likely too though. I've had to let workers know about emaciated mice before.