[Little Cow]

We’ve had pet rats in the past and now our son has a pet corn snake. We’re all having trouble with the snake’s diet and looking for alternatives. Quail eggs are a possibility. In the meantime, we’re trying to get him on frozen food.

Anyway, last Friday, the pet store that sold us the snake also provides baby rats. They sold us a fuzzy baby (3 weeks old?) that was the runt. His little hip bones were visible and they said he wouldn’t make it anyway. We thought he was small enough for the snake, but nope. So, now what? We had some leftover KMR from feeding orphan kittens, so I tried that. He wouldn’t lick it off my palm but latched into the 1 ml syringe. I just tried to go very slowly. He responded over the weekend, but had a persistent wheeze, so the vet gave us antibiotics Monday. He’s gained weight (can’t see the hips anymore) and energy. Much better balance when he’s cleaning his little face. We named him Simon.

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[Little Cow]

Oh dear! I don’t know what that first picture is triggering, but it’s just a picture of my hand with Simon.

 

[LT_2022]

The pup is no older than 3 weeks old. Syringe feed as necessary for another week or two and then try offering some smashed up solid young rat block food. It's good that you've already seen the vet and got antibiotics for the wheeze. Did the vet have any additional info on how to ensure the pup is getting enough nutrition?

There should be good info here on how to provide additional nutrients:

Rat & Mouse Gazette: Caring for Orphaned Baby Rats

the Rat Report

AFRMA - Caring for Rat & Mouse Orphans

The Pittsburgh Rat Lovers Club & Rescue - How to feed Orphaned Baby Rats or Mice

By Lindsay Pulman with notes & photos by Lisa Dunsey Call the pet stores to see if any of them have nursing moms with young pinkies, as rats will take in other rat babies very easily. That may be your best option - either buy the nursing Mom with the idea that you can return her with her own

www.pittsburghratloversclub.org

 

[Little Cow]

Thank you for the links. I did get some young rat blocks and soaked them with the formula. It was a hit, as was soaking the formula in bread. Since I half to give him the antibiotic twice a day, he’s not as enthusiastic about the syringe feeding today.

 

[Ratty_123]

We’ve had pet rats in the past and now our son has a pet corn snake. We’re all having trouble with the snake’s diet and looking for alternatives. Quail eggs are a possibility. In the meantime, we’re trying to get him on frozen food.

Anyway, last Friday, the pet store that sold us the snake also provides baby rats. They sold us a fuzzy baby (3 weeks old?) that was the runt. His little hip bones were visible and they said he wouldn’t make it anyway. We thought he was small enough for the snake, but nope. So, now what? We had some leftover KMR from feeding orphan kittens, so I tried that. He wouldn’t lick it off my palm but latched into the 1 ml syringe. I just tried to go very slowly. He responded over the weekend, but had a persistent wheeze, so the vet gave us antibiotics Monday. He’s gained weight (can’t see the hips anymore) and energy. Much better balance when he’s cleaning his little face. We named him Simon.
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You should take a look at reptilinks for the corn snake! Here is a link to some info about them! Glad you saved those ratties, they are so cute!! 🐀💛🐍

Reptilinks - Whole Prey Reptile Food

Reptilinks specializes in custom, whole-prey reptile food, in addition to feeder mice, rats, eggs, chicks and more!

reptilinks.com

 

[Little Cow]

Hi there. I have some questions. How old do you think Simon is at this point? When can I stop using the heat lamp? When do I switch him from an aquarium to a wire cage? Assuming I can find a weaned male baby rat, how soon can I introduce a friend?
Thank you.

 

[Little Cow]

More pictures. I use paper towels as bedding so I can change them out each feeding. His fleece bedding needs to be washed soon.

 

[Fofo]

Oh my, what a sweet little baby! 😍 Are his eyes open yet? He looks about 3 weeks to me but if his eyes aren't open yet then he is no more than 2 weeks.
You could put him in a wire cage anytime now, as long as the bar spacing is 1/2 inch or less so he can't escape. As for introducing a rat friend I'd say sooner the better. Babies that young don't need slow intros like adults do. They will get along right away. Maybe you could get one of his littermates after they're weaned? (4.5 weeks old).

 

[LT_2022]

He's at least 3 weeks but not quite 4. I'd leave the heat lamp on over a corner of the cage for now just in case he wants some warmth. In the second to last picture he looks dehydrated just by looking at his posture. Are you still syringe feeding KMR? Do you have a water bottle or bowl in the cage?

There's not much of a transition from tank to cage. You definitely need a cage with closely spaced bars (no more than 1/2 inch) to keep the baby from squeezing his way out. Critter Nation cages are great. You could even temporarily put hardware cloth on the outside of the cage to be sure there is no chance of escape.

Rat babies love friends so it's easy to introduce another similar age friend to them. They don't have to be littermates. Does the pet store have any other rat babies?

 

[Little Cow]

He enjoyed the water. I put a rock in the bowl to make it safer.

 

[Ratty_123]

He enjoyed the water. I put a rock in the bowl to make it safer. View attachment 310489

Oh my gosh I can’t get over how freaking cute he is!! 🥰🥰🥰

 

[Little Cow]

I spoke with a local breeder and it seems Simon is a Samantha, lol!

We ordered a wire cage. As soon as we get her set up, we’re picking up a similar aged female friend.
She had been on antibiotics for ten days, but she’s still sneezing. Should I ask for something stronger? It’s Amoxicillin, but I think they mentioned Baytril.

Sam is amazing. She plays with my hands and comes when called.

 

[Little Cow]

 

[LT_2022]

I spoke with a local breeder and it seems Simon is a Samantha, lol!

😂

Mis-sexing rodents is common especially when they're young. There are pictures here of what a male and female rat looks like:

Boys will have an obvious bugle (aka the testicles) around the base of the tail.

We ordered a wire cage.

Which cage did you order? Some wire cages may say they're suitable for rats but really aren't because the bar spacing is too wide and / or the bars are vertical which doesn't allow for climbing. There is a way to wrap hardware cloth around such cages but it makes the whole cage an eyesore.

She had been on antibiotics for ten days, but she’s still sneezing. Should I ask for something stronger? It’s Amoxicillin, but I think they mentioned Baytril.

Discuss with the vet if the current antibiotics doesn't seem to be helping. If the vet seems to shrug it off, insist (politely) that the vet consult with another exotic vet for additional advice. All vets are able to consult with other vets through vet hospitals and vet schools and through vet only forums and groups.

Do you use air fresheners or scented products in the home? Those can irritate sensitive noses.