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5 Posts
Hello!
I just created this account and this is my first post. I have raised kittens before, but I came across a baby rat (it looks to be one week old according to pictures on the internet) and the mom was killed nearby. I don't know if she had anymore, as I didn't see any, I just saw the one baby. It has fur, but it's eyes are closed and has fine hairs all over it's body.
I've got a heating pad (covered with a blanket, set on low) I manually make it use the bathroom, and the internet said it's safe to use human infant soy formula to feed because the protein and fat percentages were closest to rat needs.
* My problem is that it's not eating much! *
I bought a PetAg brand Nursing Kit (and am using the elongated nipple with the tip cut off) from Walmart and a regular 6mL disposable Luer Slip syringe when it doesn't take to the nipple well. I keep the formula out of it's nose so it doesn't aspirate, but it just doesn't want to drink much.
I feed it between every hour to two hours.
What can I do to help it drink more? How should I hold it? It wiggles away every time I try and feed it.
I'd greatly appreciate any kind of advice or knowledge so I can keep it alive and it doesn't die! I don't know any exotic vets nearby and because of COVID-19, I'm not trying to come near people.
I just created this account and this is my first post. I have raised kittens before, but I came across a baby rat (it looks to be one week old according to pictures on the internet) and the mom was killed nearby. I don't know if she had anymore, as I didn't see any, I just saw the one baby. It has fur, but it's eyes are closed and has fine hairs all over it's body.
I've got a heating pad (covered with a blanket, set on low) I manually make it use the bathroom, and the internet said it's safe to use human infant soy formula to feed because the protein and fat percentages were closest to rat needs.
* My problem is that it's not eating much! *
I bought a PetAg brand Nursing Kit (and am using the elongated nipple with the tip cut off) from Walmart and a regular 6mL disposable Luer Slip syringe when it doesn't take to the nipple well. I keep the formula out of it's nose so it doesn't aspirate, but it just doesn't want to drink much.
I feed it between every hour to two hours.
What can I do to help it drink more? How should I hold it? It wiggles away every time I try and feed it.
I'd greatly appreciate any kind of advice or knowledge so I can keep it alive and it doesn't die! I don't know any exotic vets nearby and because of COVID-19, I'm not trying to come near people.
- Thanks so much!
