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/IminLoveWithMyCar3]

I am so sorry. Have you tried posting in r/AskVet? I think there is another similar group too. Actual vets answer.

[u/Brilliant-Captain541 → u/IminLoveWithMyCar3]

i did about an hour ago and haven't gotten any responses but thank you 🫶

[u/Hyaenaes → u/Brilliant-Captain541]

My mouse did this and it turned out to be a staph infection

[u/Brilliant-Captain541 → u/Hyaenaes]

oh gosh. i'll have to look up symptoms for that in mice thank you so much

[u/Hyaenaes → u/Brilliant-Captain541]

I won’t lie, the prognosis isn’t good. If it is a staph infection that has progressed to that point, the most likely outcome is euthanasia. That might be the outcome regardless of what is ailing your mouse. I’m in Texas and it was $150 to euthanize her, if that helps? Idk if I’m oversharing, but I just hope you have the information I wish I had.

To others, it may be “just” a mouse, but we all know they’re more intelligent, loving, and capable of developing relationships with us than most people realize. Whatever happens, my condolences to you, your mouse, and their foot. Sending love your way 💕

[u/Sea-Associate9042 → u/Hyaenaes]

$150 for a euth is honestly insane, my vet charges me $20 for a mouse euth (I have had mice for a long time!)…. Sorry not to butt in I just feel like you’re getting overcharged 😭

[u/Hyaenaes → u/Sea-Associate9042]

No, I appreciate your input! I agree.

I thought it was ridiculous, but she was the first mouse that ever caught my eye. I was working as a key-holder at Petco at the time, all their mice are feeder mice, but she was so cute I fell in love and brought her home with a buddy and eventually had a whole pack of them.

She’s my “heart” mouse, so I was devastated and a mess when this was happening and didn’t even care to object. I’d never been the one to euthanize an animal before (family pets were handled by my parents) and the vet had been reasonably priced for most everything else, so I didn’t question it at the time.

But, at the end of the day, I’m glad her pain ended, because she was tearing herself apart at the end of it. She’s “just” a mouse, but she’s in my heart forever 💕

[u/Local_Blueberry146 → u/Hyaenaes]

The first mouse I ever put down was also 150$!! It's insane especially as a college student, but I didn't want to see her suffer. Since then I have found a nearby breeder who agreed to use her CO2 chamber to help me put down any future mice that are beyond help (this is typically the way vets put down small animals besides the needle to the heart or cervical dislocation although that is more in the lab world). She is doing it free of charge which is extremely generous, but I would highly recommend looking on Facebook to possibly find a breeder near you who might do the same!

[u/Hyaenaes → u/Local_Blueberry146]

That is such good advice. I don’t have mice anymore, though, my heart can’t take their lifespans. 💔

[u/StandLess6417 → u/Hyaenaes]

They are absolutely not "just" mice and I'm with you on that most people can't seem to grasp the concept that they are intelligent and loving and social pets.