Sadly, one of the babies has passed away.
My colleague (and his SO) and I (and hubby) have been taking care of them taking turns. One of the babies passed this morning while my colleague's mom was taking care of them. He called his mom and she was very upset about the passing. Apparently, it was the runt of the litter, it was VERY difficult to get him/her to eat. My colleague buried the little one tonight.
It is so very unnatural to try to keep them alive. We feed them with a dropper, we keep them warm with a heating blanket, we clean them with q-tips - but what else should we be doing? Them and us have been getting blamed for taking them in by people who said it would be better to let them die right away.
We are trying our very best to keep them alive and well-fed and comfortable and pooping and clean. If they all die, at least we have tried as momma was gone.
Thank you all so much for your support! It means and helps us all involved a lot!!! My colleague read Debbie D.'s advice and is trying very hard to become as rat-savy as possible.
At least, he didn't use the glue trap. At least, he didn't use the snap trap. He has a couple of Haveaheart traps and is kind to the animals. I admire him for that.
Wish us all luck and I will try to keep you updated as much as I can (we are moving this weekend and my life has never been more chaotic than right now).
As for my sleeping patterns - I don't know anymore what that is. I sleep when I get the chance to (which is not very often for right now, but that's ok).

I think you are great for doing what you are doing.  It sounds like you are doing everything right.  Just remember to feed them very slowly because they can get pnemonia if the milk gets into their lungs.  Other than that I have no other advice.  If they do end up not making it at least they will be able to go in peace.  It sounds like you are doing great!

Good luck with the little guys!  

i would like to know...

if these babies had ended up with said colleagues, how would they let them die. slow starvation? snap necks? in the dumpster? the neighbor's cat? it is easy to mouth off when you don't have the responsibility.

there is something i remember from i don't know where, but it helps me draw the line. if the animal's situation was caused by man, then man has a responsibility to fix it. if it was caused by nature, then nature has the responsibility (meaning natural selection).

these rats were born while momma rat was being transported. momma rat was separated from these babies by no choice of her own nor by any natural selection, but rather by the choice or actions of a human, even tho it was not on purpose. therefore it is man's job to try to give these little ones a chance.

if they pass on, it is no one's fault and you can sleep knowing you did all you could do to give them back the chance that was taken away.

somewhere out there... even tho she is wild, a mom rat knows someone is taking care of her babies. to me, that is more important than the misguided opinions of colleagues.

You said:  "We are trying our very best to keep them alive and well-fed and comfortable and pooping and clean. If they all die, at least we have tried as momma was gone."

That's all you can do.  That's all ANYONE can do.  It's more than most would do.

Angelratgirl really summed it up beautifully.........................

Im sorry that you lost a little one. I know all of you are trying very hard and there are alot of us hoping that some of them will make it.

Its really sad that someone at a vets office would have an attitude and yell at anyone. They are supposed to be in the business of saving animals lives, both domestic and wild..or so I thought.

I hope it all owrks out for all of you. Good luck!!!!

awww liza i am so sorry.

i know this doesnt make it an easier but take comfort in the fact that you and your collegue have done so much more then the average person would have. You should all be very proud of yourselves.

**thinking good thoughts and sending healthy vibes to the remaining baby**

kris

Liza, I have been following this thread.  I'm so sorry you lost all but one. How heartbreaking. You're a saint for trying to save those babies.  I live in San Diego too.

Nancy

... and my Columbus passed today too.

 

How will I tell my husband that the babies (all but one) have passed away?

I'm really sorry to check in on this thread and see that only one is left.  Just know that it is NOT your fault and you've done your very best.  My heart goes out to you guys. 

I'm so sorry - thinking about you...

Catherine

I'm sorry, Liza   At least these babies were loved and cared for in the time they were here.  As others have said, you and your hubby should be very proud in the fact that you're such caring people, and you tried your best, which is a lot more than what most people would do.

I'm sorry to hear about your losses.  You mentioned that Columbus passed away as well....how old was he?  Was he sick?

I think what you are doing is amazing!  I can't fanthom why anyone would say that you should have let them die.  You're an awsome person with a kind heart!