baby rat

Question
we found what we believe to be a baby rat in a nest under the hood of a truck we haven't used in months.  It's eyes are not open but it does have hair; dark gray with a pink belly.  It doesn't have much interest in eating.  I have no idea what to feed it.  I started giving it some pedialyte in case it was dehydrated.  I don't have a pet store nearby.  I have evaportaed milk; would that work if I mixed it with water?  Is there something else I can feed it (assuming it starts eating) that I may have at home already?  Can I email you a picture to verify that it is a rat and not some other rodent?  It's not very active and pretty hard to wake, so I'm not too hopeful that it will live, but would rathe it not die on my watch, so if you have any suggestions, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

Wendy
Clermont, FLorida

Answer
Dear Wendy,
thank you for your question.
This website has excellent information on how to raise orphaned rodents:
http://rmca.org/Articles/orphans.htm
The problem with cow milk is that baby rats (and other animals) can't really digest it, they usually get diarrhea from it. Goat milk is an alternative, if anyone near you keeps goats. The evaporated milk can be used mixed with fennel tea (or water, if you don't have fennel tea) 1:1, but milk for puppies/kittens is better.
You can upload a photo on this website and you can upload it at imageshack.us (doesn't require registration) and send me the link.
I hope I was of some help to you
Jennifer