How should a newborn mouse be fed? - briefly
Newborn mice need a warm, sterile milk replacer delivered with a fine‑gauge syringe every 2–3 hours, including nights. Start at about 0.1 ml per gram of body weight and increase the volume gradually as the pups develop.
How should a newborn mouse be fed? - in detail
Feeding neonate rodents requires strict adherence to temperature, nutrition, and hygiene standards.
Pup care begins immediately after birth. The mother normally supplies colostrum for the first 12‑24 hours; if the dam is unavailable, a commercial rodent milk replacer must be used. The replacer should be formulated for mice, with protein content around 20 % and fat 10‑12 %.
Temperature control is essential. The nest environment must be maintained at 30‑32 °C for the first week, gradually reducing to 26 °C by day 14. Use a heating pad or incubator with a thermostatically regulated surface; avoid direct contact with heating elements to prevent burns.
Feeding schedule:
- Day 0‑3: Offer 0.1 ml of warmed replacer per pup every 2 hours, including night intervals.
- Day 4‑7: Increase volume to 0.15 ml per feeding, maintain 2‑hour intervals.
- Day 8‑14: Provide 0.2‑0.25 ml per pup every 3 hours; by day 10 reduce frequency to every 4 hours.
Administration technique:
- Use a sterile, flexible plastic pipette with a rounded tip to prevent trauma.
- Warm the formula to 37 °C; verify temperature by touching the pipette tip to the inner wrist.
- Position the pup on its side, gently open the mouth with a fingertip, and dispense a slow drip at the corner of the mouth.
- Observe for swallowing; if the pup does not ingest the fluid within 30 seconds, repeat the attempt once.
Hygiene protocol:
- Disinfect all feeding equipment with 70 % ethanol before each use.
- Replace formula daily; discard any unused portion after 2 hours at room temperature.
- Clean the nest area with a mild antiseptic solution and replace bedding with sterile, absorbent material.
Monitoring indicators:
- Weight gain of at least 1 g per day during the first week.
- Full abdominal distension after each feeding, diminishing as the gut matures.
- Absence of nasal discharge, lethargy, or uncoordinated movements.
If weight loss exceeds 10 % of the expected gain or signs of dehydration appear, increase feeding volume by 10 % and reassess temperature settings.
Transition to solid food begins around day 14. Introduce softened rodent chow mixed with a small amount of milk replacer, gradually increasing the solid component while decreasing liquid feed. By day 21, pups should be fully weaned and capable of independent feeding.
Adhering to these precise parameters ensures optimal growth, reduces mortality, and supports healthy development of laboratory mouse neonates.