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blind mouse?

dawnrenee2000

dawnrenee2000

Contributing Member
I notice that one of my breeder mice has really hazy eyes almost as if she is blind, or has a cataract or something. Any ideas on this? she is eating well, and doing her breeding job, but unsure as to what type of issue I am dealing with here so I dont know what to do with her at this point.
 
If she isn't having any trouble being a good mom, and you think she isn't suffering, I'd leave her alone. How old is she? Mice have a good sense of smell and hearing, plus their whiskers help a lot too. I think she'd do find if she coudn't see, and I don't think your snakes would mind either. If they are pets though, that's another thing. Also, have you tried to really test her to see if she is actually blind. Wave your hand in front of her with a treat or something? But then again, you might not be able to tell, because she would smell and sense food in your hand. Not sure how you'd test that:shrugs: . She looks healthy enough, and maybe even carrying the next litter already, right?
 
Thanks for your thoughts. I dont want any animal in my care to suffer in any way. Yes she is carrying her next litter. She drops them like clockwork! I dont handle these mice much, just simply care for them. I must say though, I feel a bond with them, and just recently told my guy I dont think I could ever feed them off when its time. There are 3 females caged with one male. I have had them for about 5 months and bought them as breeding age adults. I really have no clue on how old they are.
 
If you've had them for 6 months and bought them as adults, then she could simply be getting older and mild-aged. I know that in dogs when they get older, sometimes the lense on thier eye gets a film on it. Its not the same as cataracts, it just looks similar. And with her having albino eyes, it could just be more visible.
 
Good Point on that. I know that mice age rather quickly and I have thought that maybe it was just an aging issue. There is no inflamation in the area surrounding the eye, so I have ruled out localized trauma.
 
Mice are prone to degenerative eye disease. This usually happens t around a year ... Its a good visual clue that its time to retire them.

Startled mice and rats will usually bite as a defense when startled ... Being blind means that you sill startle them more often.

Bryan
 
Thank you for your thoughts Bryan. I was not aware that mice are prone to degenerative eye disease. With these mice being about a year old I figure I will have to retire them all soon, but havent figured out what I am going to do with them yet. My tough heart has softened to them.
 
Lenticular (or nuclear) sclerosis of the lens is a normal age change. That is the uniform clouding of portions of the lens. They can still see, though they may need glasses to read.

Cataracts also make the lens white, but it looks like cracked/shattered glass instead of just clouding of the lens. Cataracts do cause blindness, though most mice wouldn't act much different other than perhaps startling easier.
 
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