wild mice

[cjice]

Im just wondering what are the risks and dangers (if any) in feeding a wild mouse to a ball. My cat catches them all the time but he doesnt kill them, he mauls and plays with them. Is it mites, ticks..etc..rabies, germs...or all of the above? Thanks in advance.

[bighillreptiles]

all of the above ,better to stay with rats anny way your ball will grow over 2000grams and need a half dozen mice every week or so and only one rat

[marisa]

Yeah stay far far away from feeding your snake wild caught mice.

It's not even healthy for your cat. And I know because we have an outdoor cat who kills everything from mice to rabbits. We have regular vet trips for deworming with her amoungst other problems.

Stick with CB mice and rats.

Marisa

[BoidKeeper]

Deer mice carry some dieases in their urine or feces I think.
Trevor

[Cruciform]

Freezing a mouse for 30 days would kill off any parasites and such according to the parasite book I picked up, but as they say above, rats are better.

And Boidkeeper brings up a good point with the diseases - wild mice can carry the Hanta virus, which can do in a human in no time. All you need to do is breathe in the virus shed from their excrement or body. It's not a common disease but I sure as heck wouldn't want to get it.

[Shad0w]

Freezing would kill parasites, but not many differing viruses / bacteria....

STAY FAR away from wild caught... its just not worth the risk

[cjice]

Thanks guys, will do. Now, if I could get my cat to quit sneaking outside every time the door opens.....