How do you raise a newborn mouse? - briefly
Maintain a temperature of about 30 °C and humidity of 50–60 % in a nest with soft, sterile bedding. Supply the pup with a lactating dam or a validated milk replacer, monitoring weight daily to confirm proper growth.
How do you raise a newborn mouse? - in detail
Raising a newborn mouse requires precise control of temperature, nutrition, hygiene, and social conditions from the first hours of life.
The first 24 hours are critical. Place the litter in a temperature‑controlled incubator set to 30 °C (86 °F). Use a soft nesting material such as shredded paper or cotton. Ensure the enclosure is sealed against drafts but allows airflow to prevent excess humidity.
Feeding protocol
- Begin with a sterilized milk replacer formulated for rodents (e.g., 18 % protein, 7 % fat).
- Warm the solution to 37 °C (98.6 °F) before each feeding.
- Use a fine‑gauge feeding tube (0.5 mm) to deliver 0.1 ml per pup every 2 hours, increasing volume by 0.05 ml each day as weight gain permits.
- Record weight before each feed; a healthy neonate should gain at least 0.2 g per day.
Hygiene and health monitoring
- Clean the nesting area daily with a mild, non‑ionic disinfectant, then rinse thoroughly and dry.
- Observe for signs of dehydration (skin tenting), respiratory distress (rapid breathing), or umbilical infection (redness, discharge).
- If any abnormality appears, isolate the affected pup and consult a veterinarian experienced with laboratory rodents.
Environmental adjustments after day 5
- Reduce incubator temperature by 2 °C every 24 hours until reaching 26 °C (79 °F) by day 10.
- Introduce a small, shallow water dish to encourage drinking.
- Provide a high‑calorie solid diet (e.g., powdered rodent chow mixed with a few drops of milk replacer) on day 10 to facilitate transition.
Weaning schedule
- Initiate weaning at 21 days of age. Offer soft chow and water ad libitum.
- Remove the nest material gradually to promote independent feeding.
- Continue health checks weekly until the mice reach adulthood (6–8 weeks).
Record‑keeping
- Maintain a log of temperature settings, feeding volumes, weights, and any medical interventions.
- Use the data to adjust protocols for subsequent litters, ensuring reproducibility and optimal survival rates.