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Title: Rehabilitation of Insectivorous Bats: The Basics and Beyond

1
Rehabilitation of Insectivorous Bats The Basics
and Beyond

Deborah Kemmerer Cottrell DVM
West End Animal Hospital
westendanimal.com

2
Must-Have References
3

Lollar/French Book
Best reference available
Step-by-step
Color illustrations
Order at www.batworld.org

Barnard Book
Good basic reference
New edition due out 2006
Old edition available free of charge online at
www.basicallybats.org

4
Common Insectivorous Bat Species

Mexican Freetail (Tadarida braziliensis)
Evening Bat (Nicticeus humeralis)
Southeastern Bat (Myotis austrorparius)
Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)
Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus)
Eastern Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus)
Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis)
Seminole Bat (Lasiurius seminolus)

5
Mexican Freetail10-12 gramsMost common bat in
the U.S.

Unique ears and nose

Note long tail

6
Evening Bat7-9 grams

Note hairless face

Rich, dark fur

7
Southeastern Bat5-7 grams

Note haired face

Note light color ventral surface

8
Evening vs Southeastern
9
Big Brown Bat15-18 grams

Face like giant Evening Bat

Haircoat thick and dark

10
Little Brown Bat7-10 grams

Note long ears and narrow snout

Note pinkish skin over bones of wing

11
Eastern Pipistrelle Bat4-7 grams

Note long, thin ears and small eyes

Note straw-like fur

12
Red Bats13-15 grams

Note wide nose and small ears

Fur is bright red to mahogany

13
Seminole Bat13-5 grams

Note slightly darker face than Red Bat

Body fur very similar to Red Bat

14
Capture NetsLarge Tomahawk net lengthens to 18
feet and small butterfly net makes easy grabbing
15
Capture

Any rehabber working with bats needs to be
protected against rabies. Not doing so is simply
not acceptable
Emphasize caller is never to touch bat
bare-handed
Caller to put box or towel over bat if on
horizontal surface
If on vertical surface, cover bat with net, then
use hand to enclose
Bats are usually less scared of bare hand than of
glove.

16
Using Nets

When using net, be very careful of wings. If bat
is flying, try to anticipate direction and come
from behind it if possible. Less speed
differential less likely to cause damage if edge
of net hits wing.
Butterfly net easy to use and very gentle
Can simply place net over most hanging bats very
slowly, then slide hand under rim

17
Transport

Consider safety, comfort, ease of use
Plastic critter carrier
Port-A-Bug carriers
Camera Bags

18
Plastic Critter CarriersSturdy. Can break, but
wont easily smash down my favorite for
overnighters or bed breakfast bats. Cloth
should be flannel, baby blanket, denim or other
non-looped fabric to avoid trapping nails
19
Port-A-BugComfortable for bats, but delicate and
easy to squash
20
Camera BagsWork well for larger species small
ones can slip out unless bag has mesh inside
21
Intake Forms

Name, address,phone number/email of person who
found bat
Date and location bat found
Circumstances of injury or illness
Any treatment administered
Describe any contact with unvaccinated persons

22
Weighing InGram scale essential to weigh in 0.1
gram incrementsFairly good quality available
cheap online at www.greenkingdom.com
23
Intake Evaluation

Physical exam includes
Hydration status
Wounds
Nutritional status
Mental status
Parasite Control

24
Hydration StatusDifficult to assess safe to
administer subcutaneous fluids in almost any
situation
25
Rules of Thumb for SQ Fluids

Give 1 ml for each 10 grams body weight
Lactated Ringers, Normosol, 0.9 Saline all safe
in almost any instance if giving fluids for fewer
than three days.
If giving fluids daily for more than three days,
use ½ strength saline (0.45) to avoid sodium
overload.
If animal is dehydrated, always give fluids
before attempting to feed. Wait at least two
hours after SQ fluids before giving food.

26
WoundsMost often wing injuries most torso
injuries wont survive to see you
27
Nutritional StatusFairly easy to assess using
chest-to-waist ratio
28
Mental Status

Dont assume Rabies because bat is biting
furiously. Many bite anything when in pain.
Dont assume rabies because bat is comatose or
unresponsive. Dehydration, starvation, infection,
pain can cause those also.

29
Parasite Control

Deworm with Ivermectin/propylene glycol
Deworm with albendazole? Cant make solid
recommendation right now
Kill bat mites with Revolution. Dilute to ½
strength with water, then use one drop from 25
gauge needle on bat topically
Parasites more of an issue than originally
thought in captive bats. Stay tuned for more info
soon.

30
Parasite Study

Trying to determine significance of intestinal
parasites in wild and captive bats
Send fresh fecal samples. Wrap in aluminum foil
with a wet cotton ball, then mail to me in a
bubble envelope.
Need samples from both healthy and sick bats
Contact info on website at www.westendanimal.com

31
Mealworm Glop

Complete hand-feeding formula for overnighters,
debilitated bats, and weanling pups.

32
Glop FormulaMy formula not exactly same as
Lollar/French, but has worked well for me.Mix
until very smooth in blender

5 small jars turkey baby food
1 jar banana baby food
1 cup mealworms
2 tbsp Vionate Powder
2 tbsp Missing Link Feline Formula
4 inches Nutrical or High Cal

33
Feeding Adults For Short-Term Care

Overnighters or Bed Breakfast bats do well
on glop
Not usually worth time to teach mealworm theory

34
Feeding Adults for Long-Term Care

Must teach mealworm theory
Glop at least once weekly to help prevent hepatic
lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome)
Use of captured bugs not recommended due to
parasites. Crickets can carry liver flukes, etc.
Mealworm substrate highly varied lots of opinions

35
Mealworms

I use Harrisons Baby Bird Mash as primary
substrate. Expensive, but worth it.
Sliced sweet potatoes in substrate provide
hydration and a few extra nutrients
Prior to serving worms in bowl, spray with
Carnivore Care Vitamin Spray and dust with
Missing Link Feline Formula

36
Mealworm TheoryDifficulty varies by
speciesFreeTails most difficult. Start by
cutting heads off worms, then annoying bat until
it bites worm
37
Glop as Nutritional Supplement

Large body of evidence for hepatic lipidosis in
long-term captives. Unknown whether primarily
nutritional other factors such as
stress/cortisol probably play a part.
Evening Bats seem most susceptible Southeasterns
very resistant
Symptoms include abdominal enlargement, obesity,
hair loss, then loss of appetite
Weekly supplement of even 0.5 ml glop appears
effective preventively for most

38
Feeding Infants/OrphansFreeTails
39
Use a Cup WarmerFreeTails like milk very hotUse
shot glass or other thick-bottom container to
prevent scalding of milk
40
Feeding TechniqueForce sponge with hot milk into
mouth. Pup will start nursing. Keep sponge wet
with hot milk.
41
Keep Up!Keep sponges wet so they dont suck air
42
Feed Optimal AmountThis bat is a little too full
43
The BatsicleThis is a publicity shot for
newspaper.Most attention ever for us for bat
public relations, but dont do it for real
youll have to bathe them each time
44
Feeding Non-Freetail InfantsNote that syringe is
positioned so milk does not run down front of bat
45
Housing for Long-Term CaptivesMust consider

Comfort and safety
Ease of cleaning
Environmental enrichment
Educational value/accessibility

46
Reptarium Screen CagesThese are pushed against
backing with a heating pad attached. Several
layers of baby blankets allow different cliques
to hang out together
47
Environmental Enrichment
48
Education/Access
49
Population Control in Captive ColoniesNeutering
males a viable option
50
Flight TestingLarge cage ideal, especially for
Freetails. This 40 X 10 X 8 ft cage at our
hospital was built with a grant. Rule is 10 min
of flight for every week in captivity prior to
release.
51
Small cage works well for mostThis 8 X 8 X 8 can
be built in one afternoon with little expense
using 2 X 4 lumber, hardware cloth, and a screen
door.
52
The Rehabbers Medical KitBeing prepared to make
dilute solutions is critical
53
Drug FormularyBatworld has extensive formulary
online. Mine is a very basic list of fairly
inexpensive drugs that are also fairly easy to
obtain if you have good relationship with your
vet.

www.westendanimal.com
Bat information page
Click on link to Microbat Drug Formulary
Lists name of drug, dose per kg, dose per 10
grams body weight
Instructions for dilution included

54
Importance of Bacterial Culture/Sensitivity in
Wounds

Growing global resistance to antibiotics
Can get sensitivities in 48 hours
May be difference between life and death
TALK to your vet or labs in your area most will
be willing to set up account. Dairies and fish
farms use inexpensive microbiology labs and often
are willing to share. You can get basic C S for
around 18.00.

55
Quick List of Drugs and Their Uses

The following is an alphabetical list of drugs
currently in my online formulary

56
Acepromazine

Sedative and anti-anxiety
Been around long time
High safety margin
Not much pain control alone
Acts 6-8 hours
May be given as oral or injectable

57
Albendazole

Parasiticide usually reserved for liver flukes
and tapeworms
Can be toxic to liver
Exact dose still unknown in bats
Routine deworming not recommended at this time
until further info available on prevalence of
flukes
Send fecal sample if you want to check your bats

58
Amikacin

Good antibiotic against gram-negative bacteria
Injectable only not absorbed orally
Can put heavy workload on kidneys, so use only if
indicated by C S
Every 8 hour dosing 5-7 days

59
Amoxicillin

Good broad-spectrum antibiotic (meaning both gram
neg and gram pos organisms)
High safety margin
Use as a first-line antibiotic without C S
Twice daily dosing 7-10 days

60
Atropine

Antidote for many types of insecticide poisoning,
which is well-documented in bats
Dosed to effect, meaning until symptoms subside

61
Azithromycin

Third-generation, heavy-duty antibiotic for
gram-positive bacteria
Try to reserve for indication by C S
Once-daily dosing 5 days

62
Beuthanasia

Extremely humane method of euthanasia
Overdose of pentobarbital
Very smooth, no excitability phase
Very little discomfort
Can be given orally, subcutaneously,
intravenously, or intra-peritoneally

63
Buprenorphine

Opioid analgesic with low addiction factor, so
relatively easy to get
Very effective for 8-12 hours
Can be used with acepromazine or other
painkillers
Combo with meloxicam for long-term pain relief

64
Butorphanol

More effective analgesia than morphine
Only lasts 3-4 hours if used alone
Combo with acepromazine for good pre-surgical
relaxation
Combo with meloxicam for long-term pain relief

65
Cefadroxil or Cephalexin

Good broad-spectrum antibiotic
Slightly wider spectrum than amoxicillin
Once daily dosing for 7 to 10 days
High safety margin

66
Clindamycin

Currently best recommendation for bone infections
or dental infections
Best against anaerobic, gram positive bacteria
Can cause GI upset
Dose two or three times daily for 7 to 10 days.

67
Dexamethasone

Rapid-acting corticosteroid
Traditionally used for shock or brain swelling as
in insecticide poisoning or trauma
Use being questioned increased susceptibility to
infection may outweigh benefit
Experience still says Let no animal die without
benefit of steroids

68
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Anti-histamine
Used for anaphylaxis, allergic reactions
Somewhat useful for swelling and edema
Benefit for relaxation doubtful does not cause
drowsiness in most animal species

69
Enrofloxacin (Baytril)

Excellent broad-spectrum antibiotic
Useful if pseudomonas is suspected
Bone growth plate problems seen in dogs not in
my experience or Lollar/French experience in bats
Once daily dosing for 7 to 10 days

70
Epinephrine

Emergency drug only
Used for anaphylaxis, severe allergic reactions
Used as CPR drug to attempt to re-start heart
Not very effective without defibrillation paddles

71
Furosemide (Lasix)

Very safe diuretic
Been around long time
Very little effect on electrolyte balance in
animals
Most species can tolerate very high doses as long
as fluids are available
Used to treat edema of limbs and lungs

72
Ivermectin

Very safe parasiticide
Routine deworming on intake recommended
Use orally for intestinal worms
Use topically for skin mites
Not effective against liver flukes

73
Meloxicam

Relatively new, very potent NSAID
Very high safety margin
Only NSAID used regularly in virtually all
species
Easy oral dosing
Better pain relief than morphine for
musculoskeletal pain
Do not use with prednisone can cause stomach
ulcers
Once daily dosing for as long as necessary

74
Prednisolone

Corticosteroid produced by body in small doses
Potent anti-inflammatory, but high incidence of
side effects in humans
Risk of side effects commonly exaggerated in
animals
Used to treat allergies or autoimmune disease
Once daily dosing

75
Tiletamine (Telazol)

Second-generation combination of ketamine and
diazepam
Effects extremely variable in bats can cause
severe hyperexcitability if under-dosed
Current investigation as injectable anesthetic
combined with acepromazine and butorphanol shows
promise

76
Trimethoprim/Sulfa (Bactrim, Ditrim)

Broad-spectrum antibiotic
High safety margin in most species
Good against many anaerobic bacteria
Once daily dosing for 7-10 days
Drug reactions can cause skin sloughing whether
given as injection or orally

77
Common Problems and Treatments

Trauma wing fractures, burns, soft tissue
injuries, bite wounds
Trapped in building
Insecticide poisoning
Obstetrical problems
Hepatic lipidosis (captives)

78
TraumaInfected wing fracture
79
TraumaBurn from firecracker
80
Trauma Treatment Protocol

Acepromazine/butorphanol/meloxicam combo if
available
SQ fluids
Leave alone 30 minutes
Lavage wound with sterile saline
Start antibiotics. Amoxicillin, Cephalexin or
Enrofloxacin good choices
If deep wound or puncture, send CS

81
Trapped in Building

Overnighters or Bed Breakfast bats
Give SQ fluids upon intake
Feed glop twice daily for a couple of days
Release within 15 miles of original location if
possible

82
Insecticide Poisoning

Well-documented in literature
Congenital defects/mutations in low levels
Acute problem seen in moist weather with lots of
mosquitoes spraying
Long-term problem seen in areas that dont use
newer mosquito sprays
Newer sprays are water-based and dont hang in
air as long
Still a problem for lizards, birds, and other
wildlife
Mostly human convenience rather than safety

83
Acute Insecticide Poisoning

Generally large numbers of bats affected
Two cases involved about 100 bats each case
Treatment subcutaneous fluids, dexamethasone,
atropine combined in one dose, followed by
several hours in the incubator, then glop and
place in safe area.
Eighty percent survival

84
Obstetrical ProblemsDystocia Obviously pregnant
bats hanging right-side up for unusual periods of
time. Caesarian may be necessary.
85
Miscellaneous Stuff

Bat talk dvd
Bats in the Pantry
WEAH bat house
www.batworld.org
www.basicallybats.org
www.batcon.org
Chat groups

86
Bat Talk DVDwww.batworld.orgFascinating insight
into bat communication
87
Bats in the Pantrywww.batworld.orgWonderful
recipes and fascinating food facts
88
West End Bat HouseTriple-wide nursery house in
hospital parking lot. Will hold 1800 bats
currently has about 800.
89
Batworld