A MANX mouse named Marshmallow is not only a very rare breed; she is possibly the only mouse to have delivered her litter by caesarean section.
Busselton brothers Deklyn and Tyson Pool, aged eight and five years respectively, are breeding mice. Recently they came across the small, tail-less Manx species, a trait due to their specific genes. But while cute and fluffy, they are difficult to breed.
On April 2, when little Marshmallow was in the throes of a difficult labour, the boy’s mother Rebecca called the GeoVet clinic for advice.
“They rushed her in for an examination and they were so compassionate in explaining the issues of a small pelvis, to my children, and their two friends that were with us at the time.
“Poor little kids with their ‘puss in boots eyes’, Marshmallow meant the world to them,” Rebecca said.
GALLERY: Marshmallow's delivery
“Dr Christina Webb explained that an emergency caesarean was needed, what it meant and the high risks involved in such a tiny, tiny pet. My kids decided that it was totally worth trying and put their faith in the doctors.”
Three specialist veterinarians, a vet nurse and a receptionist, all pulled together to save Marshmallow, and her seven babies.
Another very unusual aspect of this story is that Pip Squeak – a normal sized, patchy white and tan mouse, adopted the litter, and fed and raised it as her own – which is virtually unknown in the mouse world.
“It just goes to show that size does not matter when love is love! GeoVet took it seriously and my kids are on cloud nine. Miracles do happen!”
