I Need Advice Asap

[lilchris_28]

I have a mouse named Keona... She's been housed with her sisters, Kiele and Chiquita, since they were born almost a year ago with no problems. Today I went to feed them and Keona has severely gotten her butt kicked. One of her ears is almost ripped off and there's a gash on the other side from her ear opening to past her eye... and her eye appears to be cut too. She won't let me do anything to help. Even without the injuries she's never liked to be held. Now she's just plain grumpy. I was trying to assess the injuries tonight and she bit me so hard that my hand is bruised and swollen. I don't know what to do... Even if I take her to the vet, I won't be able to treat her b/c she bites... I've tried throwing a rag over her and she bit me through the rag, and it was a thick rag. Do you think it would be more humane to have her euthanized? I've tried to house her by herself before and she self-mutilated herself so that won't work. The wounds look like they're getting infected. I'm already going to have to put Kiele to sleep soon b/c she has a tumor. That means Chiquita is going to be by herself.

Why did they just attack her? I've noticed Kiele and Chiquita have been missing fur on their faces and I know that mice and rats excessively groom one another to establish alpha positions, so I didn't think anything of it... Could it just have been Kiele and Chiquita retaliating?

[Kiddo76]

could be a dominance thing. I had 2 females housed together who constantly power groomed and fought over food and treats. as a result I have a dumbo with a split ear. to remedy the bickering I added tons of toys and a wheel. plus, I now have a small "Colony", so to speak, of girls together and ironically the fighting stopped. now if only my boys would quit bickering and behave themselves I might have something here. don't know who's worse? my 6 and 9 year olds beating the crap outa each other or the the boy rats fighting just to get my attention?

[MissAmandasZoo]

I don't have any mice or rats, so don't take me too seriously, but maybe you could try getting a few toys like kiddo said. Try to give them plenty of what they are fighting over, whether it be toys or boy mice or a wheel. I'd just be afraid that more mice would lead to more fighting. Good luck! btw, if you really can't help her, I would put her to sleep. If she's suffering, or in bad shape. Then get Chiquita a new buddy.

[lilchris_28]

I have two wheels and three bird toys in there for them. I also have two houses. I just went ahead and seperated Keona from the rest. But now she keep scratching her wounds back open everytime they start to heal. I just bought some timothy hay for my guinea pigs and it had knats in it... I'm SO afraid she's going to get maggots. Chiquita and Kiele seem to be getting along just fine, and Kiele's tumor doesn't seem to be growing very fast. I don't know if I should put Keona to sleep or not. Her whole face is one big red irritated ozing mess.

[Jubilee]

why dont you keep Kiele and Chiquita together and then get a new friend for Keona. Maybe get a baby or something that wouldnt be threatening to Keona.