From the ethical viewpoint of someone who appreciates all life - aside from the viewpoint of a person with rats or a person with 'herps- if it hasn't been said already, it's unethical to feed live rodents. Period. It's heavily suggested to feed f/t, and convert to- It's unethical and ridiculous to submit an animal to an enclosure where its last dying moments will be spent in a panicked frenzy where it has no chance for escape or no chance for a humane ending. It's unethical to place a frenzied, panicked animal in a snake's enclosure where the snake has no room to flee if necessary- obviously rats possess incredibly sharp teeth, and it isn't uncommon to discover a snake with a gouged eye or punctured snout. I would also imagine it to be unethical to submit dozens of either untested or knowledgeably ill animals for consumption- there just doesn't seem to be anything logical about that. Especially if the animals are dedicated to maintaining an animal whose purpose of possession is to be provided the best care - as a "pet".
As well, in response to the Dirty Jobs/Mike Rowe reference - there are a lot of members here who do in fact, lobby for or lean toward food for their animals which is at or close-to human-grade consumption as possible.
OP, check out
http://www.goosemoose.com/ if you haven't already- I believe I saw your post there possibly a week or two ago.
These people establish rat trains, and this is a hub for hardcore rat rescuers and breeders alike. Possibly add more detail to your post- they'll know what to do.
Before you Euth, give them your whole story. They helped find homes for 1,000+ rats when a man was found with domestic rats had overtaken his home in San Jose(breeding accident. Hoarders did a "special" on it). They occasional help groups of high-number rescue rats, with illnesses, all the time. There are like 30 in Brooklyn right now, being dished out around the NE. Rats are actually reasonably popular pets.
Also, if it helps, Operation Roger delivered two rats to my doorstep from I believe over fourteen hours away. I would not be surprised at all if there were a compassionate driver out there who could bring a full cage of ratties to a destination where they could get treatment, or care.
http://operationroger.rescuegroups.org/
The best of luck. I'm actually in PDX, OR, and if I didn't have a boy with resp. issues who needs a vet appt. right now, I'd consider taking one in.