We have called every pet store around us and no one has a nursing rat. We have also posted in several Facebook groups with no luck. The ones that have offered to help are very far away.
We are staying positive and caring for these babies the best we can. This will be our third night with the babies. So far so good. They all have milk bands, are active, go to the bathroom regularly, and have a healthy appetite.
We are using water bottles filled with rice to keep them warm and re-heat them every 2 hours. We are feeding them every three hours. We are tending to their hygiene before and after feeding them as well as once in between meals. They are on Gerber Soy formula 2 parts water to one part powder. We are using a very fine paintbrush to feed them. We gently massage their little bodies after every meal to gently stimulate circulation and promote growth. They are being kept in a modified cat carrier and they are with us at all times. Is there anything we may have missed to give these babies the best chance of surviving? I would love to hear from someone who has had success raising orphaned rats from a very young age (less than a week).