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I found a baby...something [rat?]. Help! (Update: Despite best efforts, now passed away)
- Thread starter Buttzerker
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You definitely have to find one who will do so.
And they're not always easy to find as 90% are general cats and dogs only.
We've had Guinea pigs and hamsters looked at in the past.
Birds and lizards need care as well.
OP
OP
well, he pissed all over me and seems fairly proud of himself for it, chalking that up as a minor success
OP
OP
my mouse breeder friend says it's definitely NOT a mouse, so i guess the mystery continues. her money is on possum
Actually, from looking at that chart you probably got it on the same day it was born. Image version:
If it is a rat or squirrel the timeline's probably pretty similar.
if he has access to a weight scale he might be able to differentiate between mouse or rat/squirrel. From his pics I do think it's a mouse. A neonatal rat I'd say is already 8-10 grams in weight and 2-3 inches in length from my past experiences over 10 years ago, a neonatal mouse is much smaller (at most 1 inch in length or so) and smaller (2-3 grams I think). If the OP does somehow manage to keep this thing going a mouse (at least a laboratory mouse) will usually weigh anywhere from 8-12 grams at weaning age (~21 days). Wild mice are also not white/albino in color so this one should look more like that bottom 2 strains, hopefully all goes well.
how long and heavy do you think the pup is? a neonatal rat is significantly bigger than a neonatal mouse (see my post above) and I would assume so is a neonatal squirrel. could be a hamster or gerbil maybe though?
OP
OP
it's like an inch long, at most. maybe slightly more counting the tail.
heaviness idk. it weighs nothing right now and i don't have a gram scale, lol
See if your area has a wildlife rescue center. They take all types of animals (even rats and squirrels) and are usually better equipped to take care of animals this small.
if it's not more than an inch I can't see it being a rat/squirrel. I used to work with 2-day old neonatal rats all the time and they were definitely at their smallest 2 inches, but I'd say more likely to be 2.5-3 inches. Though a wild rat/squirrel that's not bred in an optimal environment I guess could be a smaller too so maybe, I'm leaning still more towards mouse or hamster based on the size.
I breed hundreds of mice in my lab, but based on your recent video it does seem slightly bigger than the mouse pups I see, maybe something intermediate in size between a mouse and rat?
Let's not go overboard. Mice and rats are pests in a house and can spread disease. I sure as hell am not raising a baby mouse or street rat to turn loose in my house. That said, very cool that you saved it OP.
Whatever it is, its adorable. Little powerhouse is gonna be the forum mascot one day, I can feel it.
Buttzerker
Hi there
I'm on the phone with my vet (also my best friend, also a whole clinc of geniuses).
The wildlife expert in the clinic just sent me this:
"Allora non sono sicuro sia uno scoiattolo potrebbe essere anche un ghiro, cmq bisogna tenerlo al caldo 30 gradi avvolto in un panno umido ma non bagnato(per non farlo disidratare) , come alimentazione può usare un latte da gattini senza lattosio o, x 24 ore, il latte di capra non freddo ma a temperatura di corporea (circa 30 gradi) e pasti ogni 2 ore anche di notte."
Don't worry, i don't expet you to be fluent in italian, therefore:
"So, i'm not sure it's a squirrel it could be a dormouse, you must keep him warm at 30 degrees (celsius) wrapped in a damp cloth. Damp, not wet (it's so he doesn't get dehydrated).
As far as food goes you can use lactose free milk for kittens* or, for 24 hours, goat milk (30 degrees celsius as far as temperature is concerned).
He/she has to eat every 2 hours (yes, at night too)"
* he wrote this like it's an actual buyable product, i have no clue.
Hope this helps, definitely rooting for the little fella.
If you need anything send me a pvt with your skype contact. (i'm on there almost 24/7)
Hugs,
Gabe.
EDIT: typos
Hi there
I'm on the phone with my vet (also my best friend, also a whole clinc of geniuses).
The wildlife expert in the clinic just sent me this:
"Allora non sono sicuro sia uno scoiattolo potrebbe essere anche un ghiro, cmq bisogna tenerlo al caldo 30 gradi avvolto in un panno umido ma non bagnato(per non farlo disidratare) , come alimentazione può usare un latte da gattini senza lattosio o, x 24 ore, il latte di capra non freddo ma a temperatura di corporea (circa 30 gradi) e pasti ogni 2 ore anche di notte."
Don't worry, i don't expet you to be fluent in italian, therefore:
"So, i'm not sure it's a squirrel it could be a dormouse, you must keep him warm at 30 degrees (celsius) wrapped in a damp cloth. Damp, not wet (it's so he doesn't get dehydrated).
As far as food goes you can use lactose free milk for kittens* or, for 24 hours, goat milk (30 degrees celsius as far as temperature is concerned).
He/she has to eat every 2 hours (yes, at night too)"
* he wrote this like it's an actual buyable product, i have no clue.
Hope this helps, definitely rooting for the little fella.
If you need anything send me a pvt with your skype contact. (i'm on there almost 24/7)
Hugs,
Gabe.
EDIT: typos
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Don't be alarmed if it is.
All the black around their eyes make them look like demons from hell but possums aren't as bad as people make them out to be.
You'll probably have to release it though eventually. Those critters are pretty wild evidentally.
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OP you the man! Sounds like you are doing everything right. Luckily you have a good vet to bring it to!
If you can fully adopt it at some point, I highly recommend doing so! Rats are outstanding pets and very misunderstood. They're quite brilliant and are full of personality! My wife and I had 8 rats over the years until we got our cats and dogs.
If you can fully adopt it at some point, I highly recommend doing so! Rats are outstanding pets and very misunderstood. They're quite brilliant and are full of personality! My wife and I had 8 rats over the years until we got our cats and dogs.
Agreed on all points. Rats make wonderful pets. However if you do go down that road OP, make sure to get a second rat to keep it company.
Glad you're doing the right thing.
The first time I read the title my eyes slipped past the word "something" and "rat" part.
So i saw it as "I found a baby. Its still alive! Help!" and I was very concerned for a sec lol
So i saw it as "I found a baby. Its still alive! Help!" and I was very concerned for a sec lol
You really are a good person OP, but i would avoid contact with his urine until you have a confirmation of the species and if it's healthy. Leptospirosis is some serious shit.
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