Exhausted Mommy Rat

Question
QUESTION: Hi Sandy,

My girl Chloe had a litter of pups yesterday - 12.  Not planned or anything, but she decided to sneak into my bucks cge for a visit!!

SHe had a lot of blood in her bedding and around the cage.  She appears exhausted, breathing heavy, and when she goes to groom herself a little she falls over.  She looks so thin too.  What can I do for her?  

Thanks again,

Heidi



ANSWER: Hi Heidi


Your message must have gotten stuck in cyber space, I just got it today and it was dated for a day or so ago. I am sorry for the delay. I do hope this message finds your new momma rat doing better.
If she is still bleeding, she needs a vet but some bleeding after birth is normal but it should ease up right away.
How old is she?
Having pups can be exhausting rats just like humans are exhausted too. Imagine having 12 babies!!  Yikes!
However, is she nursing ok and sitting with the pups? Check the new babies tummies and be sure you see what is called MILK BAND in the tummies. Their skin is very translucent at this age and you can actually see their bellies. A pup that has just been feed should have a nice plump belly and you can literally see the white milk in their tummies.
Check all of the babies to be sure.
She should also sit on them most of the time, taking time for herself to eat, drink and maybe stretch out for a spell, but she should be wanting to sit with the babies most of the time. You also need to be          sure to handle the pups daily to get the socialized.  

As for her diet, what is she eating now?  Her diet should increase in the proteins (quality proteins ) including animal proteins such as baked chicken breasts or whatever white chicken meats. You can even scramble an egg for her. Watch cucumbers and lettuce too as these can cause watery stools and even gas which can go to the pups and cause them to be uncomfortable.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes, My mommy rat, Chloe is doing much better.  She is stretching up to greet me when I open her cage and looks for the special treats I always bring!  I would guess that she is 14 weeks old, she is quite tiny.  That's how she was able to squeeze through the cage bars and into my bucks cage!! I have her in a plastic enclosed cage with a wire top now.

Yes, from the moment I found her with the boys I increased her protein with baby food chicken and hard-boiled egg slices and some real butter on a bit of toast.  Also I added some milk to a bit of granola cereal.  Is that ok?

She is doing exactly what you said, with the babies most of the time, comes out to drink, eat, and rest a bit, then goes back to the babies.

How soon can I handle the pups?  Aren't they too young to be touched now?  The mommy rat is a complete sweetie and lets me move the paper towels to look at her babies - while she is nursing!  I don't touch them though...should I?  

Please tell me how to socialize them, I'll do whatever is best for them.  In the mean time, I'll check your website,
Thanks so much for your advice.
Heidi

Answer
I am so glad she is doing better. What a young mother!!

Yeah I know alot of folks that have had nosey girls slip through the bars to visit the boys if the bars are spaced to far apart. What you should do is get a cage with the bars spaced closer so this way you dont have to worry about the pups getting out either when the start moving. You dont want them in an enclosed area too long even if it has a wire top because the air circulation is not good and this is how they end up with respiratory illnesses that can be lifelong, become chronic and often takes the rats life prematurely.  For now though its OK but I would not wait after a few weeks.  
As for the babies, yes handle them now, this young. They can and should be touched and held from the day they are pinkies but even a few days old is fine. Mom wont mind and in fact, she would probably like the break. If you have never pups you will see how trying they can be for her when they start moving. With a large litter like that she will be exhausted trying to round them up once they start moving around. They roll out of the nest and she will have to go and get them and no sooner does she do that, another pup comes rolling out.  LOL  Wait till they open their eyes! THey really start moving...around 14 days and by 3 weeks they are fast and all over the place!!  By 4.5 weeks the boys need removed but cannot be with adult males so unless you plan on adopting them out, you will need a new cage for the baby males. The adult males will kill them in a heart beat.  

Anyhow, take at least 6 pups at a time, a good time is after they nurse and while she is nursing the other half of the litter. Put them on a clean baby blanket or something soft but be sure it doesnt shed threads or the threads can wrap around their tiny toes and cut of circulation.  A flat pillow case would be good! Put it over a folded towel so its soft and lay the pups out in a row. This is a good time to check for sex too. If you need help check my website in the health care page I have photos of them and how to compare. Touch them and talk to them gently. Do this however often you want and by the time they open their eyes they wont freak when they see you and they may still run from you but only in fun, they wont mind being held and wont hide etc.... trust me on this. This is one reason why pet store rats are shy...they are not socialized like they should be.  Rats will not kill their young if they smell human on them, esp domestic rats and she loves you so she would trust you with her babies.  

Your doing good with the food just skip the milk or use soy milk or infant soy forumula (My pick)  instead since rats may have a tough time digesting milk. Some rats are lactose intolerant believe it or not...the rat or mouse with the cheese is a myth!!   

Hope this helps and good luck!