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Any particular reason a mouse would mindlessly run in circles?

Venom

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There is a house mouse in my kitchen that wasn't there less than an hour ago and it's literally running around in circles non-stop, occasionally squealing quietly.

It has slowed down just a bit but shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
Any ideas as to how it could have come out into the open and suddenly started doing this?

I have gloves, a mask, and a cardboard box on standby ready to remove it to outside if it slows down soon.

ETA: And I went back to check on it and while I wasn't looking it apparently moved 8 feet across the kitchen to another spot where it's again running around in a small circle.

Similar situation:
 
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That is bizarre. I suggest brain damage causing him to only be able to run in one turning direction. He can't run straight or in the other direction. Damage to half its brain could do that.

That's a fantastic video.
 
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wea said:
toxoplasmosis, maybe
Click to expand...

I've heard that Toxoplasma gondii can make rodents seek out or at least lose the fear of the smell of cats, but never heard of anything this bizarre.

And update: I nudged the mouse into a box and it settled down a bit but started running in circles again after a few seconds. I released it and it behaved seemingly normal, running away from me in straight lines when I tried to chase it.

This is super interesting but disturbing.
 
Two possibilities come to mind

1. The mouse was poisoned, but did not eat enough to kill it. It was exhibiting temporary symptoms of poisoning, but as the toxin wore off, it came right

2. The mouse has suffered a stroke.
 
Perhaps the poor little thing is having a nervous breakdown. Have you tried some therapeutic conversation? Teach him mindfulness.
 
smartcooky said:
Two possibilities come to mind

1. The mouse was poisoned, but did not eat enough to kill it. It was exhibiting temporary symptoms of poisoning, but as the toxin wore off, it came right

2. The mouse has suffered a stroke.
Click to expand...

I too vote some form of brain damage. Maybe it survived, if imperfectly, an encounter with a cat.
 
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