Bat

Extra info for long term husbandry:

Returning a pup to its roost
Warm pup up and rehydrate with water or rehydration solution
If you know the location of the roost, return at dusk and place the pup on a vertical surface that it can cling to e.g. ivy covered wall, at the entrance to the roost
If you don’t know the location of the roost, return at dusk to the place where you found the pup
If there are no appropriate safe surfaces to leave the pup, bring with you an artificial wall for the pup to hang onto e.g. a tall post with piece of carpet-covered board attached vertically to the top
Place the pup on the vertical surface so it can cling on. The mother may return and pick up the pup if it hears the pup’s squeaks
If the pup isn’t picked up at dusk when the bats are out and about, take it home again and continue hand-rearing
Repeat this procedure for 3 consecutive nights before halting

Weight/Identification
Weigh same time each day
Accurate weighing is very important during weaning
Weight loss or static weight is an early indicator of underlying problems
Important for bats housed in groups, to ensure all bats get the food they require

Pups
Usually born in early June but weather dependent and may be as late at mid-July
Birth weight approx 1-1.5g
One quarter to one third adult weight at birth
Suckle for 6 to 7 weeks
Eyes open within first week
Ears erect by end of second week
Half adult weight by third week
Solo flight after 7 weeks

Housing
A furry toy can be provided as a mother substitute for the pup to cling to
At 8 weeks of age, once self feeding, move to outdoor enclosure to practice capturing flying prey until ready for release
See Housing in the husbandry Adult section of longer term care info

Feeding
Rehydration solution – Lectade or equivalent, initially
Canine milk replacement – Royal Canin Baby Dog
Teach pup to lap milk from a fine-tipped paintbrush or from a medicine dropper

Pups should be offered liquid milk replacement formula immediately after receiving SC injections of electrolytes on arrival

Supplements
Multivitamins (Abidec)
Wings can become distorted through calcium deficiency

Quantity/Frequency
Varies depending on size, age and species
If pup has no fur, feed 8 times per day (roughly from 7.00am to 11.00pm, feed every two hours)
A fully furred pup can be fed 4 times per day
In general offer as much as they will take, they will stop when they’re full
Never feed an animal so much fluid that its tummy becomes hard and distended

Weaning
Continue feeding from paintbrush until weaned onto whole mealworms
Start weaning at 6 weeks of age
Mash mealworms with milk formula, later offer just the mealworm body contents
By 7 weeks should be taking whole mealworms

Records
Routine records should be maintained of weight, times of each feed, quantities of food consumed, urine/faeces production and general condition/demeanour

Toileting
A paintbrush may be used to stimulate urination and defecation

Faeces
Normal faeces – Black, cylindrical, about 6mm long – size and shape depend on species and can be ovoid, cylindrical, barrel-shaped etc., length can be from 3mm to 1cm and colour depends on prey so can be brown or black or a mixture
Abnormal/bad faeces – extremely wet/liquid

Imprinting
Potentially prevents release
Ideally rear more than one of a species together

Always seek advice from specialist organisations with knowledge of suitable release sites/habitat

Careful assessment and appropriate health checks should be carried out prior to release, as to the risks of released animals introducing new diseases into the wild population/environment

Release criteria/considerations
Need to be wild – wary/scared of humans, domestic animals and any other natural predators
Must be physically fit, mentally sound, stable body weight for over 7 days
Can’t be released if underweight, unable to recognise/eat normal diet etc
Must be of an appropriate weight for the age, sex, and time of year for the species
Do not release in winter unless it has sufficient body weight to cope with the cold
Ideally return to original location unless dangerous or unsuitable
Release away from roads, species specific predators, areas where they could cause damage
Consider natural history of the animal and the location of local wild groups of these animals
Release during a period mild weather. No strong winds, heavy rain, or severe frost
Ideally identify animal in some way e.g. microchip/tag, for post release monitoring/identification

Preferred habitat
Species dependant but along hedgerows and tree lines on farmland, open woodland, suburban gardens, marshes, riparian woodland, water courses and bodies, urban parkland. Avoid open landscapes like large arable fields and moorland 

HARD RELEASE (direct release)
Adults

Hard release technique
The animal is simply allowed to exit a transport container with no further care or feed provision

Hard release candidates
Hard release technique only suitable if animal rescued as an adult and only if in captivity for short period of time, and only if to be released where originally found

Release timing
Preferably release as soon as possible. Mild months most suitable
Bats mainly hibernate in winter (Nov/Dec) so shouldn’t be released in winter unless it has sufficient body weight for hibernation

Species specific considerations
Able to fly vigorously for at least 10 minutes
Ideally return to original location unless dangerous or unsuitable e.g. building work where colony roost or if found inside house
Natural history of the relevant bat species and the location of local colonies are important for successful release

Technique
After warming in gloved hands, place bat as high as possible on a tree trunk or other vertical surface Step back and watch. If bat doesn’t fly off, encourage it to do so by gently nudging it. If it fails to fly or crashes repeatedly, retain in captivity and repeat another night
Only release during the hours of darkness 

SOFT RELEASE (gentle or gradual release)
Pups (sometimes adults)

Soft release technique
Soft release aims to slowly reintroduce the animal to the wild while still in a comfort zone e.g. cage it was reared in, and allow the animal to leave the cage once confident and independent
It involves continuing to care for animals at the release site, and aims to compensate for difficulties of newly released animals finding food and shelter in a new environment

Soft release candidates
Essential release method for hand reared animals, or adults that have been in captivity for long period or that are to be released in new location
If more than one young animal in care, if practicable, try to form a release group
Release group – try to have mixed genders, appropriately matched age group

Release timing
August – September depending on age and physical fitness

Species specific considerations
Able to fly vigorously for at least 10 minutes
Need to be a minimum of 8 weeks of age

Technique
Temporary cage placed in release location
Cage fully enclosed and containing bat box, natural cover, food and water
Animal fed only natural foods it will come across in the wild
Cage opened at dusk or just before sunset, and left in-situ for animal to come and go until it feels confident enough not to return
Food provided, decreasing in quantity, until the animal no longer returns
Soft release may take a few weeks

ADULT BAT SPECIES WEIGHT GUIDE  (aid for determining release suitability)

*Compulsory licence details at end of document*

Let us not waste time complaining about the excessive bureaucratic legislation covering wildlife today. The intent was to provide protection for wildlife and the data is valuable.

If we don’t want to be legislated upon, or don’t like current legislation, we must offer legislative solutions. Apply for your licences but also email  your ideas for a more practicable solution for ‘policing wildlife rehabilitation’ in Ireland, to info@irishwildlifematters.ie

BATS

Status
Irish Wildlife Act 1976 and Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 – protected species
Berne Convention, Appendix 2 – requires strict protection
EU Habitats Directive, Annex IV and Annex II (lesser horseshoe bat)
Irish Red Data book – least concern
Leisler’s bat – Irish Red Data book – near threatened
Wildlife (N.I.) Order of 1985 – protected species
The Conservation (Nature Habitats, etc.) Regulations (N.I) 1995

Exemptions
Bats and their breeding and resting places are protected but the Habitats Directive provides for derogations. Licences may be issued to allow disturbance “provided there is no satisfactory alternative and the derogation is not detrimental to the maintenance of the populations of the species concerned at a favourable conservation status”
Safeguards
Illegal to wilfully interfere with, kill or injure a bat, or destroy its breeding/resting place
Roosts are protected at all times regardless of whether bats are present or absent

Release
Subject to the conditions set out in the licence provided for the possession/retention of a wild bird/animal

Notes
Report any suspicious activities or equipment to NPWS Conservation Ranger (see CONTACTS page)

* For licence application form for the possession/ retention of a wild animal – click HERE

Post to the address below OR email to wildlifelicence@chg.gov.ie

Wildlife Licence Unit
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
90 King Street North
Smithfield
Dublin 7
D07 N7CV

Phone: (064) 662 7300
Email: wildlifelicence@chg.gov.ie

Entanglement

Clinical Signs – damage to wing/bones, skin lesions, underlying severed blood vessels
Diagnosis – found entangled in fishing tackle or netting
Treatment – Analgesics and antibiotics. Fluid therapy. Hydrogel dressings, dermisol cleaning. Regular exercise
Comments – keep for at least 7 days to monitor for pressure necrosis. Netting on fruit bushes, fishing tackle hanging from bushes on riverside.

Wing tears

Clinical signs – lacerations, puncture wounds, superficial to severe
Diagnosis – clinical signs
Treatment – antibiotics and analgesics. Surgery; suture, tissue glue, OpSite Film. CONTACT bat group first!
Comments –very common problem, check flight ability before attempting treatment, some heal without intervention but can take months

Cat Attack

Clinical signs – lacerations, fractures, puncture wounds, fur loss, superficial to severe wounds
Diagnosis – clinical signs, history
Treatment – antibiotics (baytril and amoxicillin or tetracycline) and analgesics (metacam)
Comments – often die due to septicaemia within 48hrs if untreated, very common problem

Fractures

Clinical signs – many open fractures, usually humerus/radius
Diagnosis – clinical signs when holding up to light source and extending the wing
Treatment – antibiotics and analgesics. Surgery – *CONTACT bat group first!
Splinting using adhesive tape/ strip of Vet-Lite/ cotton bud
Tissue glue stabilisation

Intramedullary pinning using 27/28 or 30G needles
External fixation – impractical
Amputation, “if necessary – long-term captives with one amputated wing can have good quality of life and serve as ambassadors to educate children during school visits, if two wings require amputation then euthanise the animal” (Conor Kelleher)
Comments – fractured ulna mainly insignificant. Fractured ‘fingers’ often have associated wing tears.

Oil contamination

Clinical signs – hypothermia, toxicity from ingesting oil coating the body/wings
Diagnosis – clinical signs, history
Treatment – washing-up liquid, sunflower-based margarine. Kaolin and pectin gel as adsorbent
Comments – clean with cotton bud. Contaminants oil, adhesive from fly-papers. Do not use industrial degreasing agents.

Ectoparasites flea, mite, tick, bat bug (Cimex pipistrelli), nycteribiid fly (Phthiridium biarticulatum)

Clinical Signs – visual identification
Diagnosis – clinical signs
Treatment – cotton bud saturated with 70% Isopropyl alcohol; dampen head area, wipe wings. Treat with medication when stable. Whiskas Exelpet flea powder, permethrin flea powder or ivermectin for cattle mixed with propylene glycol
Comments – dust flea powder into fur with paintbrush or remove mites with wet paintbrush

Endoparasites

Clinical signs – hypothermia, toxicity from ingesting oil coating the body/wings
Diagnosis – clinical signs, history
Roundworms: lethargy, thin coat, inappetent, v+, ‘pot belly’, pale mm, ataxia
Coccidia: inappetent, v+, d+, dehydration, tremors, ataxia
Tapeworms: Fur loss, thin coat, excessive appetite, d+, lethargy
Flukes: weak, emaciated, inappetant, excessive thirst, hunched, dyspnoea, stiff fingers
Treatment – panacur for roundworms and tapeworms, sulfadimethoxine for coccidia, albendazole for flukes
Comments – euthanase if severe fluke infestation

Dehydration, emaciation

Clinical Signs – inappetence, dull/dry eyes, flaky skin, dry/discoloured wings, ataxia
Diagnosis – clinical signs, history – grounded due to injury, illness, trapped indoors, heat exhaustion, orphaned
Treatment – rehydrate (see above), increase humidity to 60-80%
Comments – Fluids may not be absorbed when organ failure is imminent. The bat may go into shock and die within moments of being injected.

Wing membrane necrosis

Clinical Signs – dry, cracked, flaking wing membrane
Diagnosis – clinical signs
Treatment – systemic antibiotics, massage membranes with E45 cream, topical nitric oxide cream
Comments – necrosis can migrate into bone, suggested causes: trauma, dry environment, bacteria, fungus

Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)

Clinical Signs – curvature of the long bones of the wing, swelling of the wrists and/or finger joints;
muscular weakness. A pup will hold its wings out to the side, partially open, and cry when handled. In severe cases, tremors, seizures, death.
Diagnosis – clinical signs
Treatment – calcium supplement, metacam for pain
Comments – nutritional deficiency i.e. starving orphans, inappropriate milk replacement formulas

Alopecia

Clinical Signs – bald patches
Diagnosis – clinical signs
Treatment – EfaCoat Oil, solitary confinement, no handling
Comments – found in bats in captivity or young pipistrelles. Possible causes: trauma, over handling, mutilation, mealworm quinones

Subcutaneous emphysema or punctured lung

Clinical Signs – inflated areas on body, respiratory distress
Diagnosis – clinical signs
Treatment – aspirate with insulin syringe, antibiotics – clavamox, oxygen, rehydrate
Comments – recurrence possible, repeat procedure, generally resolves. Could be fractured rib puncturing lung

Orphan

Clinical Signs – tiny bat found out during the day, normally grounded
Diagnosis – clinical signs, history
Treatment – first try Returning pup to its roost, see above
Comments – found in bats in captivity if not flying

Poisoning

Agrochemicals, timber treatment

Candidates

• No quality of life when recovered
• Blind
• Decreased flight ability
• Permanent injuries to thumbs and toes hindering roosting, grooming and food manipulation
• Tooth loss / fractured jaw affecting feeding ability
• Back injuries

Drug

• Pentobarbital sodium, isoflurane or xylazine, depending on method

Technique

• Isoflurane saturated ball of cotton wool in syringe case with bat, all inside airtight container, or
• GA then IP or intracardiac injection, or
• Mix 0.05ml acepromazine with 0.05ml butorphanol and 9.8ml Lactated Ringers Solution (LRS). Administer 0.08ml SC.

Put the bat in a cloth for 20mins before administering xylazine solution (0.1ml xylazine mixed with 0.5ml LRS) SC.

Wear protective gloves
Handle as little as possible to reduce stress
Some species are extremely small and can be easily injured
Lay bat across the fingers with the thumb firmly, but gently holding bat down
Avoid opening both wings at the same time, can cause injury if they struggle
Do not scruff
Do not hold solely by its wings
Good light required for examination. Hand lens or ideally magnifying loupes

• Weigh
• Warmth
• Fluids – warmed Lactated Ringers Solution subcutaneously
• Drugs

If sick/injured
Consider antibiotics and analgesia

Rehydration
Quantity size dependant:
Pups up to 5g – 0.3 – 1ml
Adults – 1.5 to 3mls
Two doses, 12hrs apart should be sufficient

Warmth – essential due to small size, use hot water bottle, heat pads, hot gloves, bubble wrap
General anaesthesia – isoflurane via face mask (e.g. syringe case)

Oxygen – continue providing oxygen for some time after surgery finished

Surgical considerations
Wings – thin membrane, delicate and friable. Handle as little as possible, use swaged-on 7/0 absorbable suture material