hard decision HELP! (mouse)

[magistradomina]

We had a simalar situation...

We had to stomp on it 'cause that is the most ethical way to put a mouse down. (Besides taking it to the vet, which is very costly.) Good luck and I'm so sorry!

P.S. Have one of the parents do it without telling the child how they're doing it, otherwise the child will be terrified.

 

[hchorselover]

Okay there is no cruelty going on and it's not my decision (I'm also a child) she has drown a mouse before (wild though) that the cat got and was dying when no-one was home (shes a teenager) and she was not traumatized. This is harder because it was her pet but her parents wouldn't make her do anything that would traumatize her, ever, and to be honest I don't think she is going to put the mouse down at all (she just can't). It was her own decision to to drown it or not and her dad will probably put it down when he gets home (I just didn't want anyone to think they were bad parents). Thanks for the help!

 

[RiverOtter]

Don't drown anything, warm water or cold - it is a harsh way to die. They don't go to sleep until after lots of pain and struggling - we've all gotten water up our noses or even breathed some and it hurts.

When her dad gets home, she needs to give the mouse a kiss and hand it to him. And then the quickest, most painless way I know is a hammer to the head. The can wrap it up or put it in a little box to bury it.

If no one can do that, then go ask at the pet store or find a reptile breeder. One of those places will either have someone experienced in quickly breaking a neck or have a CO2 chamber. I know when I worked at a pet store I did put a few teeny creatures out of their pain, or trimmed a budgie's beak or nails and even once cleaned out an abscess on an iguana.
They'll likely not help you at the big chains (besides possibly telling you the name of someone who has herps) but a small place will probably help you out.

 

[boykin2010]

can he just shoot it with a bb gun or something in the head. it is quick and little less traumatic

 

[dewey]

You did a good thing with trying to help her by seeking advice. I feel for her in the situation and sorry she's losing her pet. It's not an easy thing no matter how.

 

[SillyChicken]

Definitely an adult should handle...

Drowned in warm water

Hold the mouse on a flat hard surface, place a piece of board (6"- 1/2" x 4") over the mouses head, , and then smack the board with a hammer where the head should be. There's no chance of missing the mouse and causing pain. And you don't "see" the damage being done.

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

Couldn't they just put it in a bag and back over it with the car? I think that's probably what I would do. I could never hit anything in the head with a hammer to kill it, or watch the poor thing drown.

 

[SillyChicken]

Quote:
That's not really an appropriate use of a gun.. bb or otherwise. Just too small of a critter and too many variables to be safely done. (Just my opinion)

 

[Akane]

Separating or smashing the head is the most humane way to put anything down. It stops brain function immediately. Drowning can take a long time with lots of panic and pain. It may be less traumatic to the human but it is not humane. I think children should understand where there food comes from and part of that is how things are killed humanely so I do not see a reason for allowing a teenager a less humane method. I do think an adult should be responsible for carrying it out though or they should be prepared to take it to the vet instead of a cop-out that makes them feel better but does more harm to the animal.

 

[Silkie Sue]

not to sound insensitive but do you have a cat???