Orphaned rat baby. *Urgent help needed*

[Seldenta]

Alright so my roommate got this baby rat that according to the people had 'just got its fur' this was two days ago. He bought it to feed to his snake but after two days of the snake not eating it he gave it to me and told me if i could keep it alive i can have it.

My question is, the baby looks like hes 10 days old cause he has pretty thick fur on his back and thin fur on his belly. Hes already had his first meal and seems to understand the concept of the nipple for the bottle.

Hints on keeping this baby boy alive? He's currently in a drawer with bedding and a blanket on my bed next to me sleeping. Should I put something over it? Also I have a hamster........ I know hamsters will kill mice but would a hamster kill a rat?

Advice, I'd like to keep this boy alive as hes just adorable.

 

[SQ]

The hamster would kill the baby.
Keep baby warm, feed human soy infant formula, wipe baby's butt with a warm damp tissue, etc to stimulate it to pee and poop after it eats. Otherwise it will die.
It would be best if you can find a nursing mama to put the baby in with.

Here is some good info:
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=27608

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=17673

 

[lilspaz68]

Can you post a pic of the baby so we can see how old and what condition it is in? How long have you had it? What have you been trying to feed it?

I prefer human soy milk powdered formula for wee 'uns. Syringing it carefully into their mouth every 2-3 hours, and then helping them eliminate afterwards.

The hamster will definitely kill the baby!

http://www.rmca.org/Articles/orphans.htm

 

[EDK]

Defiently use what they suggested, baby forumla defenitly. I used it to save a baby mouse once, granted these are two different species but it works just the same. Never put a baby with another rodent species that much I do know, otherwise ya they would kill it. This is tricky as I've researched and raised a baby before, you have to feed it every 1-2 or 3hrs depending if the baby will nurse. And ya stimulate it's rear end with warm wash rag to encourage it to potty. Keep it warm at all times, and away from direct sunlight. Usually when mama rats have babies, they have a nest, where they stay warm and shielded from other rats and light, so that their developing eyes wont be damaged. Are it's eyes open? If not you got a bit of a road ahead of you. Usually they don't ween to solid food till their eyes are open and they have good movement when they walk. A picture would help the experts here though (I'm not an expert I'm speaking out of experience) so that they can get an idea how old the baby actually is. If you can I'd try to find a serrogant mom rat too like SQ suggested. Otherwise just keep an eye on the poor little guy.

 

[Seldenta]

I'm feeding him soy baby formula, we got some from roomies brother whos kid is lactose intolerant and is one year old.

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I think hes about 10 days? Correct me if i'm wrong. His body temp has gone up since i've had him. Roomie just gave me to him about an hour ago and I fed him shortly after that when roomies brother stopped by with the formula. (he was cold to the touch when roomie gave me him)

 

[EDK]

Cold to the touch is never a good sign, if he's warm now I would think he's doing better then. Ya he's defiently too young to be away from mama, his eyes are still shut, so ya just keep feeding him hourly, encourage him to potty and keep him out of sunlight. That's the best I can suggest other then trying to find a serrogot mama rat to look after him. Other then that, best wait for experts to answer you, like Jorats or Hopefloats.

 

[victoria]

His eyes are open, so he is at least 14 days old. I would say he's 17-20 days old but I don't have as much experience with babies as others. Since his eyes are open, you don't need to feed him with a syringe although it would be good if you could still try to stimulate him to go to the washroom several times a day. Offering him formula in a shallow bowl and replacing it every few hours should be enough to properly nourish him. It'd be a good idea to buy some lab blocks and offer them (soaked in water) as well.

Given his age, your drawer is probably not the best place for him. If you have a hamster cage with bars (not the Habitrail style ones) you can keep him in there or you can make a bin cage for him out of a plastic tote. That way he won't escape from your drawer or make a huge mess in there. Use bedding like paper towel and fleece for now, stay away from wood chips/shavings. When he's older, you can use aspen with him but never pine or cedar.

Unlike hamsters, rats should to live in pairs or groups. If he survives and thrives and you keep him, you will need to get him a friend or two and an adequate cage or find a knowledgeable home with other rats for him.

Good luck!

 

[SQ]

Yes, he needs to be in some sort of cage so he will be safe.
Babies can be active and get into things.

 

[EDK]

Good call I forgot about a home for him. Ya a drawer isn't the best place for him, little babies grow very fast that being the good thing, so you'll need a cage like the ones they suggested. And if he thrives and gets bigger, defiently look into finding him a cage mate!

 

[lilspaz68]

The eyes are closed so yes I think you are about right, 12 days or more from his coat.

This little girl is 12 days old

Baby's development may be delayed because he/she doesn't have a mom but I would guess it is 12-14 days and the eyes should open in the next few days. Then he/she will be skittering around, so the drawer definitely will not be safe for him at all.

Does baby get a nice milk belly, and eliminate well after feedings?

If you show us a pic of his belly and nether regions we may be able to sex your baby..

 

[Joanne]

I won't confuse the issue with more advice - just wanted you to know we are pulling for the little baby. Keep him warm, but anything you use he needs to be able to get away from in case he gets too hot (heating pad, hot water bottle, etc). Oops, I said I wasn't going to give you more advice! LOL Good luck!

 

[Farrah]

Deleted what I said lol. I thought his eyes were open, definitely not over 15 days though, especially if the eyes aren't open.

 

[EDK]

Ya his eyes are defiently closed at the moment. Any new news on your new baby? We'd like to see him more often! And more pics! Maybe others can identify if he's a boy or girl yet. Hope to hear from you!

 

[Seldenta]

He has made it through the weekend, and is now in a holding cage for now. He seems stubborn about drinking from the bottle now, would a soda cap work if I watch him?

 

[EDK]

You could try it, thats what I did with my baby, that or I actually used my fingertip, i took a drop, held it up to the baby's nose and soon as he knew what it was he quickly lapped it up, I was litterally hand feeding lol! Sometimes babies just don't want to eat, but when they are ready, the eat like piggies, I'd say give him a few minutes then try again, long as your able to get something down him every hour or two, every bit counts to helping him grow. The fact he's made it through the weekend I'd say is a good sign, just keep doing what your doing!

 

[hopefloats]

you could try a syringe or a spoon too. I think anything to make him eat will be ok, just not unattended

 

[Seldenta]

Baby rat is dead

I fed him two hours ago, he was fine. Just checked him and he was dead.

 

[mustloverats]

Hey there!

It sounds like your doing a good job for now... but remember when he reaches about 3-4 weeks old, he should have a cage mate to keep him company (make sure its another boy)

 

[xio]

So sorry for your loss You did the best you could *hug*

 

[Joanne]

I'm so sorry - at least you tried........