wild babies!

Question
I rescued a liter of 8 babies 10 days ago.  I think they're about 14 days old as their eyes are just now open fully.  Suddenly - between last night and this morning - I noticed hair loss, spotty, mostly around the head.  I've been feeding soy infant formula by eye dropper and began tiny bits of regular rat pellets soaked in water yesterday.  They are active and appear otherwise healthy. Could the hair loss be dietary related?

Answer
I am so impressed that you were able to keep the pups alive because rats under 2 weeks that are without a mother often end up dying. Good job on such excellent care that you gave to them.  As for their fur falling out, this sounds like molting. Alot of baby animals lose fur and grow new, more coarse fur or wirey fur.  


The fur loss is usually hormonal related rather than diet, and will disappear  as they age.   I dont think really that this is anything to worry about to be honest.  

Check out my website for info on a good diet for rats:


http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/ratsandahealthydiet.htm