bat carer’s manualbats.org.au/uploads/members/rescue-rehab-manual.pdf · bat carer’s manual ....

BAT CARER’S MANUAL

Gilbert was our special education flying-fox. He was a TV star and a super

hero who proved to the Animal Welfare Advisory committee that it is not

humane to shoot a dark moving target at night. We miss you big buddy!

Bat Conservation & Rescue Qld., Carer’s Manual

March 2012 2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The first editions of this manual were written for Sydney Wildlife with the help and input of many people.

First Edition released 2000, edited by Jenny James. Second Edition released 2004, edited by Linda Wilson. Third Edition released 2005, edited by Helen Kennedy and Liz Shephard. Fourth Edition released 2006, edited by Tim Pearson & Cary Kuiper. For this edition, the assistance of Mary-Anne Bell, Mandi Griffith, Janet Hutchinson, Jenny

James, Helen Kennedy, Jodi Lewis, Liz Shephard, and Midge Worley has been invaluable. Fifth Edition released 2007, edited by Tim Pearson, Cary Kuiper for Sydney & Louise

Saunders especially for Bat Care Brisbane Inc. Fully revised Edition, 2008, exclusively for Bat Care Brisbane Inc. Edited by Louise Saunders, Karen

Hurley and Lisa Meyer. Edition 2009 Edited by Louise Saunders and Denise Wade. Medication checked by Dr Diana

McPhee RSPCA Wildlife Vet. Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife (SMW) now recognises this manual as belonging to Bat

Conservation & Rescue Qld Inc. BCRQ acknowledge the valuable contribution SMW have made in making this manual what it is today. We trust people will respect the copyright ownership of the content and of the photographs that have kindly been provided by many contributors. Content is not to be reproduced without the permission of the authors. All photos and drawings in this manual remain the property of the person credited and are used with permission. Use of the photos and drawings for any other purpose is expressly prohibited without the permission of the author.

2010 edition was rewritten by Denise Wade and edited by Louise Saunders. 2011 edition, Denise Wade and Louise Saunders. (March 2011) Queensland Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (QWRC) endorsed this training manual in August 2011

as having met the criteria as a training module against standards agreed to by the QWRC. Endorsement number: 007/2011. This endorsement is valid for a period of 3 years.

2012 edition, Denise Wade and Louise Saunders (March 2012) 2013 edition revised by Denise Wade March 2013

Please direct enquiries to: [email protected]: Copyright ©Louise Saunders

mailto:[email protected]


March 2012 3

CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................ 2

CONTENTS .................................................................................................................................... 3

FORWARD..................................................................................................................................... 8

GENERAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................. 9

PERMITS – FOLLOW THE CODE OF PRACTICE ............................................................................... 9

HOUSING NEEDSOF REHABILITATING BATS ................................................................................ 10

LONG TERM HEALTH AND RELEASE VIABILTY ............................................................................. 11

REMARKABLE HEALING POWERS................................................................................................ 12

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 13

PRECAUTIONARY WARNING ....................................................................................................... 13

BAT CONSERVATION & RESCUE QLD AND BATS ......................................................................... 14

VACCINATION POLICY ................................................................................................................. 14

THE ‘BAT PHONE’........................................................................................................................ 14

DEALING WITH A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC ................................................................................ 15

IF A CARER / RESCUER IS BITTEN ................................................................................................ 15

QUEENSLAND HEALTH FLOW CHART ......................................................................................... 16

WHAT IS A BAT? ......................................................................................................................... 17

FLYING-FOXES - MEGACHIROPTERA ........................................................................................... 17

BRISBANE’S FLYING-FOXES ......................................................................................................... 19

AGE CHART ................................................................................................................................. 20

MICROBATS - MICROCHIROPTERA ............................................................................................. 21

BAT IDENTIFICATION - DO I HAVE A MICROBAT OR A MEGABAT? ............................................. 21

BAT RESCUE .................................................................................................................................................... 24

PREPARATION FOR A RESCUE –PHOTOS AND EDUCATIONAL BROCHURES ................................ 24

RESCUE EQUIPMENT .................................................................................................................. 26

RESCUE KIT OPTIONAL EXTRAS: .................................................................................................. 27

AT THE RESCUE - KEEP S A F E ....................................................................................................................... 28

HANDLING TECHNIQUES FOR RESCUE & REHAB ............................................................................................... 30

UNDERSTANDING THE LOCKING MECHANISM OF TOES AND THUMBS ................................................ 30

COMMON RESCUE SCENARIOS ........................................................................................................................ 32

Microbats on the ground ............................................................................................................ 32


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Microbats in the house ............................................................................................................... 32

Once you have the bat: .............................................................................................................. 32

Flying-Fox unable to fly or found on the ground ........................................................................ 32

Bat already in a box – Pick-Up and transport .............................................................................. 33

Bat at the Vet ............................................................................................................................. 33

Baby Bat on dead mother ........................................................................................................... 34

Bat on Power Lines ..................................................................................................................... 35

Baby flying-fox as above (page 34) ............................................................................................. 35

Entanglement – Netting and Barbed Wire ................................................................................. 36

Specifics for Barbed Wire rescues: ........................................................................................ 38

INITIAL ASSESSMENT & FIRST AID ................................................................................................................. 40

Euthanasia .................................................................................................................................. 41

EMERGENCY TREATMENT ............................................................................................................................. 42

Shock .......................................................................................................................................... 42

How to accurately assess core body temperatures .................................................................... 42

Treatment for Shock – Observation, IP Fluids and Bed Rest ....................................................... 43

Steps to Treat Shock ................................................................................................................... 44

Exposure ..................................................................................................................................... 44

Rehydration ................................................................................................................................ 45

IP Fluids ...................................................................................................................................... 45

Transportation............................................................................................................................ 46

Adult Flying-Fox – just rescued and ready to transport .............................................................. 46

Baby Flying-Foxes ....................................................................................................................... 47

Recording and Reporting ............................................................................................................................... 49

Measuring and Weighing Techniques ........................................................................................ 49

Care and Rehabilitation of Flying-Foxes ........................................................................................................ 51

Basic First-aid Principles ........................................................................................................ 51

ASSESSMENT OF INJURIES .......................................................................................................... 52

Recognising injuries .................................................................................................................... 53

Pain Management ...................................................................................................................... 54

Holding and Assessing a Flying-Fox ............................................................................................ 54

Check the wings and thumbs ...................................................................................................... 56

Examine the body and head ....................................................................................................... 56

Examine legs and toes ................................................................................................................ 56

Injuries and Their Treatment ......................................................................................................................... 57

Injuries ........................................................................................................................................ 57


March 2012 5

Bed Rest ..................................................................................................................................... 57

Assessing the core body temperature of a flying fox.................................................................. 57

Antibiotics and Pain .................................................................................................................... 57

Shock .......................................................................................................................................... 58

Any animal found on the ground must be treated for shock urgently and not allowed to hang.58

Broken Bones ............................................................................................................................. 58

Barbed-wire Injuries – Finger and Membrane Damage .............................................................. 59

Burns .......................................................................................................................................... 62

Body and limbs ........................................................................................................................... 62

Mouths ....................................................................................................................................... 62

Membrane .................................................................................................................................. 62

Broken, Missing or Worn Teeth .................................................................................................. 63

Bruising....................................................................................................................................... 63

Concussion ................................................................................................................................. 63

Dehydration................................................................................................................................ 64

Assessing the level of dehydration ............................................................................................. 65

Oral Rehydration ........................................................................................................................ 65

Dislocations ................................................................................................................................ 66

Electrocution .............................................................................................................................. 66

Adults ......................................................................................................................................... 66

Babies ......................................................................................................................................... 66

Exposed Bones ........................................................................................................................... 66

Exposure ..................................................................................................................................... 67

Holes and tears in Membrane .................................................................................................... 67

Inflammation and Swelling ......................................................................................................... 68

Netting Injuries ........................................................................................................................... 68

Palate and Mouth Damage ......................................................................................................... 69

Thumb Injuries ........................................................................................................................... 69

Wounds and Grazes.................................................................................................................... 70

Using spray bandage .................................................................................................................. 71

Diseases, Other Causes and Problems........................................................................................................... 72

Lyssavirus (ABL) .......................................................................................................................... 72

Signs of Lyssavirus may include: ................................................................................................. 73

Hendra Virus (HeV) ..................................................................................................................... 73

Leptospirosis .............................................................................................................................. 74

Rat Lungworm (Angiostrongylus Cantonensis) ........................................................................... 74


March 2012 6

Cocos Palms ................................................................................................................................ 75

Dog/Cat Attack ........................................................................................................................... 75

Diarrhoea ................................................................................................................................... 76

Eye Injuries ................................................................................................................................. 76

Fungal Infections ........................................................................................................................ 76

Maggots & Fly eggs..................................................................................................................... 77

Mites .......................................................................................................................................... 78

Pneumonia ................................................................................................................................. 78

Nycteribiidae .............................................................................................................................. 78

Care of Adult Flying-Foxes ............................................................................................................................. 80

Bed Rest ..................................................................................................................................... 80

Holistic Healing and Success to Release ..................................................................................... 80

Housing ...................................................................................................................................... 81

Hospital cage or enclosure ......................................................................................................... 81

Hospital cage setup .................................................................................................................... 82

Outdoor Enclosure setup ............................................................................................................ 82

Batmaxes .................................................................................................................................... 84

Cleaning ...................................................................................................................................... 84

Feeding ....................................................................................................................................... 85

What to feed .............................................................................................................................. 85

Smoothie Recipes ....................................................................................................................... 86

Leadbeater’s Mix ........................................................................................................................ 86

Dave Pinson’s Banana Smoothie ................................................................................................ 86

Feeding Mix for Little Red Flying Foxes ...................................................................................... 86

Ongoing Care and Rehabilitation ................................................................................................ 87

Release ....................................................................................................................................... 87

Camira Release Site .................................................................................................................... 88

Enrichment ................................................................................................................................. 89

Lending a Hand at Crèche and Release Time .............................................................................. 91

Additional Information .................................................................................................................................. 92

TIPS FOR DIFFERENT RESCUES ....................................................................................................................... 93

Phone Co-ordinator to Rescuer .................................................................................................................... 93

NETTING RESCUES ................................................................................................................................. 93

BARBED WIRE RESCUES ......................................................................................................................... 93

DOG ATTACK AND CAR HITS .................................................................................................................. 93

ELECTROCUTION.................................................................................................................................... 94


March 2012 7

BROKEN BONES ..................................................................................................................................... 94

WHICH DRUG OR PAIN RELIEVER DO I USE? ................................................................................................. 96

A GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE CORRECT AND APPROPRIATE MEDICATION FOR A WOUND OR INJURY

................................................................................................................................................... 96

ANTIBIOTICS .......................................................................................................................................... 96

ASPRO CLEAR 300 mg TABLET ............................................................................................................... 97

CHILDREN’S PANADOL ........................................................................................................................... 97

PAINSTOP FOR CHILDREN DAY-TIME PAIN RELIEVER ............................................................................ 97

METACAM ............................................................................................................................................. 97

TRAMADOL ............................................................................................................................................ 98

TEMGESIC .............................................................................................................................................. 98

Appendix A: Medications and Most Commonly Used Drugs ......................................................................... 99

1. AMOXYCLAV 50, CLAVULOX 50, NOROCLAV 50............................................................................... 100

2. ASPRO CLEAR 300mg - Description and Indications ............................................................. 101

Active Dosage & Frequency ...................................................................................................... 101

Mixing and Method of Administration ..................................................................................... 101

3.CHILDRENS PANADOL (100mg/ml) ................................................................................................... 102

4. BETAMOX PALATABLE DROPS ......................................................................................................... 103

5. PAINSTOP ........................................................................................................................................ 104

6. METACAM ....................................................................................................................................... 105

Appendix B: Resources ........................................................................................................................ 106

Appendix C: Contacts, Bat Conservation & Rescue Qld. Inc. .................................................... 108

[email protected] ........................................................................................................................ 108

[email protected] ................................................................................................................. 108

[email protected] ........................................................................................................................ 108

[email protected] ........................................................................................................................ 108

[email protected] ............................................................................................................................. 108

[email protected] ............................................................................................................................ 108

[email protected] ................................................................................................................................ 108

[email protected] ...................................................................................................................... 108

[email protected] ............................................................................................................................ 108

[email protected] ....................................................................................................................... 108

[email protected] .................................................................................................................... 108

Appendix D: Australian Bat Lyssavirus, Further reading. .......................................................... 108


March 2012 8

FORWARD Talking about "Climate Change Myths" Tim Low points out that contrary to popular belief many plants

won't need to migrate in response to climate change. Fossil and genetic evidence suggests that Eucalypts,

Banksias and many other woodland trees survive climate change in situ by producing genetically variable

offspring, some of which prove well adapted to new climatic conditions. This is made possible by a very

high investment in pollination, which sometimes occurs between different tree species, resulting in the

rapid evolution of new eucalypts by hybridisation. Eucalypts hybridise on a scale unmatched by any other

trees on earth.

Australian plants invest very heavily in pollination compared with trees in Europe and North America, most

of which are pollinated by wind. Australia is the only continent in which the dominant trees are pollinated

largely by birds and mammals (some of which are highly mobile) as well as by insects. During times of

climate change the most mobile pollinators are especially important because they can spread pollen large

distances between large numbers of trees, maximising the opportunities for gene flow. The most mobile

pollinators are flying foxes, lorikeets and migratory honeyeaters. These animals provide climate change

insurance to our trees. Their numbers should not be allowed to fall any lower.

Tim Low is the author of six books including The New Nature, which ends with a plea for tolerance of all

Flying-foxes.

Photo: Cathie Howie


March 2012 9

GENERAL INFORMATION As there is very little regulation of wildlife carers or care organisations throughout Queensland, it remains

the responsibility of individual organisations to insist that their members adhere to appropriate standards

of rearing, rehabilitation, euthanasia and release and that the Code of Practice is followed. These

standards are required to ensure the welfare and future survival of the animals in our care. Bat

Conservation and Rescue Qld. Inc. (BCRQ) has set high standards so we can achieve acceptable levels of

competency and our guidelines are based on best practice from accumulated experiences, the Code of

Practice and scientific data. We also provide guidance on human health and safety. Our standards and

guidelines are for the welfare of both carer and bats. If these standards are lowered, animals will suffer.

PERMITS – FOLLOW THE CODE OF PRACTICE Bat Conservation and Rescue Qld. would like all members to be familiar with the Orphaned, Sick or Injured

Protected Wildlife Code of Practice (see members area of our web site). We are in the business of

education, rescue and rehabilitation and not keeping bats as pets. Please be mindful that bats are social

animals that have a long life span (20 years in captivity and around 10-15 years in the wild) and how cruel

that life will be if an animal is not free to fly and live a social and meaningful life with other bats. Bats that

cannot be released back to the wild, after assessment and discussion with the rehabilitation co-ordinators,

are to be given the gift of swift and humane euthanasia.

BCRQ does not endorse a ‘life at any cost' philosophy. Please remember that these are wild animals that

were born to live a wild life and we must therefore respect their right to be free spirits and not inflict upon

them a life of social and sensory deprivation in captivity. DEHP no longer issue individuals with permits to

keep protected wildlife for the aforementioned reasons.

As financial members under BCRQ's rehabilitation permit, you are permitted to rescue and care for bat

species only. All bats entering care remain the responsibility of BCQR only and must go through our

rehabilitation process as stated in the conditions of BCQR's permit, granted by the Department of

Environment and Heritage Protection, Eco Access Permit Division. If you are called upon to do a rescue for

another organization, you will still be rescuing under Bat Conservation and Rescue Qld’s permit. Naturally

the bat’s welfare comes first and if you choose to attend, as a courtesy and for insurance purposes, you

MUST call the BCQR rescue phone so we are aware that you are attending a rescue. We can then log the

details and monitor your safety. Please remind the other organisations representative that as you are only

authorised to carry out the rescue as a member of BCRQ, the responsibility for the animal’s welfare must

remain the business of BCQR under the conditions of our permit. Our failure to adhere to the conditions as

stated by DEHP, could result in our permit being revoked. The management of Bat Conservation and

Rescue Qld. need to know which organisation you are raising and rehabilitating bats for as this affects our

permit and your behaviour/treatment of animals is our concern. We cannot risk losing our permit through

inadvertent contraventions of the stated conditions. Please refer to BCQR Member By-Law No. 7.


March 2012 10

HOUSING NEEDSOF REHABILITATING BATS

In the past, the housing conditions of some animals in rehab have not been conducive to their effective

rehabilitation (Code of Practice 1.8 b & 11). It has been stated on many occasions that if you do not have

the correct and appropriate facilities to house bats - i.e. the company of another bat and an appropriately

sized cage (not a cat carry cage or similar) to enable flapping and the stretching of wings, then these

animals must go to another rehabber who does.

All animals in care must have room to socialise, exercise and be free to participate in natural behaviours.

They must be able to stretch and flap their wings and have access to shelter and natural sunlight. After

initial first aid and medication has been completed and when feeling well enough, flying-foxes must also be

given the opportunity to fly, as this will help to minimise membrane contracture in animals off barbed wire

and netting. A flight cage will also assist in keeping muscles in peak condition and this in turn, will hasten

recovery time for bats in rehab.

Batmaxes are suitable accommodation for orphans and for the short term care of adults but a single

animal must not be kept alone in a Batmax or outdoor aviary. In this instance, the flying-fox is to be

housed in a hospital cage until it is well enough to go to another carer with animals in rehab and an

approved flight aviary.

No animal should be kept by itself for longer than 7 days unless discussed with a rehab co-ordinator.

Flying-foxes are social creatures and denying them company will only result in miserable, stressed and

unhappy bats which will hinder their recovery. After this initial care period has concluded, take your flying-

fox to another member who has bats in care. Please notify a rehab co-ordinator before you release your

animal or move it to another carer. You are responsible for the ongoing maintenance of this animal’s

record and you must update all records if you move the bat to another carer, release the animal or have it

euthanased. Please ensure you provide a Microbat/Flying-fox Report form for all bats coming into care as

this record needs to go with the bat whenever it is moved to another carer. The history recorded on this

sheet provides invaluable information to subsequent carers whenever the bat is moved. This data sheet

must be sent to the Secretary of BCRQ within 3 months of the animal being released or euthanased.

Whenever we have a group of animals ready for release, they are taken to our Camira release facility for a

group release. All juveniles are required to be soft released with other animals at the Camira facility where

they can be support fed following release. However, all rehab animals will benefit from this process and

they will integrate into the local flying-fox camp. Adult flying-foxes can fly 50 to 100 kilometres in a single

night and they have a mental map of every camp site across the greater Brisbane area. Releasing into one

particular colony will not be detrimental as there are continual population shifts amongst the camps.

Photo: Cathie Howie


March 2012 11

Conditions other than these are not humane to the animals entrusted to us and reflect poorly upon our

duty of care as an organisation. If you wish to be a rehabber please contact the rehab co-ordinator for

advice on how to make a bat friendly flight cage. See the section on page 83 for a more detailed and

comprehensive explanation of the appropriate use of Batmaxes and specific housing requirements for

rehabbing bats.

FOR EXAMPLE: - A single bat comes into

care off barbed wire. It is anticipated to

need 7 to 10 days antibiotic/pain relief

medication and would be housed in a

hospital cage. (First couple of days maybe

too sore, tired and in pain and may need to

be fully supported in bed in a cat

cage).After 7 days or medication is

completed, single bat must be given to

another rehabber with animals in care. If

another animal comes into care whilst

medicating the first animal, both animals

may be kept in a Batmax for a maximum of

3 weeks before being transferred to a carer

with a flight aviary.

LONG TERM HEALTH AND RELEASE VIABILTY Again refer to the Code of Practice (6.1). An initial assessment must be made in consultation with a bat

knowledgeable vet (please ask who, as they are very, very scarce) or by the rehab co-ordinators as to the

long-term release prospects for your bat. We have a constant stream of wild adult female bats passing

through our network and these animals fulfil the role of 'den mother' for our orphans without the need for

permanent care animals.

When attempting long term rehabilitation with any animal, issues to be considered include-

Temperament – is the bat miserable or is it a contented patient?

Carer time to treat and medicate. This could include daily massage and intensive physio.

Unless you have approved facilities, all bats in long term care must be handed on to a

member who has a flight cage with other bats in care.

Facilities – Short term housing where bats are happy and safe. Batmaxes are ideal for short

term housing provided you have more than one animal in care.

Companions – as community animals it is important to have other bat mates who are also

recovering.

Do you need to pass the bat onto another carer who has more experience with this

particular injury or simply has more time for treatment?

Do you have the time required to attend ongoing veterinary appointments?

Photo: Marg Snowden


March 2012 12

REMARKABLE HEALING POWERS Assessment of injuries can be a very difficult area

to negotiate successfully and we are constantly

learning and expanding our knowledge of injury

viability. Unfortunately, not all animals will have

favourable outcomes and there are many issues to

consider before either euthanasing or attempting

rehabilitation. Some injuries have predictable

outcomes but sometimes we err on the side of

optimism and give animals a chance at

rehabilitation. Not all of these gambles will pay off

and we need to understand that animals may still

have to be euthanased after time in rehab.

Please discuss viability with a rehab co-ordinator before euthanasing any bat. Even if you are standing with

the vet and the vet is ready to euthanase, a quick phone call can have a huge impact on that flying-foxes

life.

With the right medication and care this membrane will heal quickly.

Photo: M&J Janssens


March 2012 13

Hendra Virus image from DEEDI

website.

INTRODUCTION This section of the Bat Conservation and Rescue Qld. Carer's Manual on Rescue is dedicated to the

rescue, general care and rehabilitation of flying-foxes and should be used in conjunction with Part 2.

Raising Baby Flying-foxes. Some information for rescue can be valuable for rearing and some rearing

information is useful if the volunteer is rescuing a baby.

The Committee of Bat Conservation and Rescue Qld. request all new and existing members read,

understand and adhere to the ethics and guidelines set out in these manuals. We require this of our

members so that appropriate standards of care are maintained and that our methods are consistent

across our membership. Some methods change as we learn more about bat physiology and improve

our knowledge of bat husbandry but many of our methods remain consistent and must not change

or bats may suffer or die. You will find a copy of our By-laws on our Membership Form as well as

online and we request that you read and understand them for the benefit of all – bats and carers.

We require you to spend one day per year with us at our Rescue and Rehabilitation training and

another day at our baby training day ‘From Beds to Branches’ to learn the basic principals involved in

rescuing and caring for a baby bat. These training days are compulsory as we are always learning new

and exciting things about bats and treatment for injuries is constantly evolving.

Please keep your manual handy and refer to it whenever you need to medicate an animal in your

care or you just need some assistance or direction. If you do not find the answers you need in these

pages, please call for some assistance. A rehab co-ordinator or mentor will be able to point you in

the right direction and can offer advice on whether veterinary assessment or intervention is

required. Never put off asking for advice as your baby's life or the life of your rescue bat could

depend upon getting the correct information. Future editions of this manual will be created from the

valuable input from all members and all BCRQ resources can be found online.

PRECAUTIONARY WARNING Although at present Hendra Virus is thought to be transmissible only between horses and humans,

you must still exercise extreme caution and protect yourself against any possible contamination. As

Hendra virus has been found in flying-fox urine, foetal tissue and fluids,

we must be especially careful when dealing with a birthing or aborting

flying-fox. YOU MUST wear latex gloves, a face mask and protective

clothing during any interactions between yourself and the products of a

miscarriage or birth. Maintain strict hygiene by washing your hands

after handling all flying-foxes and clean your equipment with hot soapy

water and bleach or disinfectant. If you are required to submit any

material to Biosecurity Qld. please triple bag it in ziplock bags and do

not put this material into your home refrigerator, no matter how well it is

wrapped or sealed. Instead, call Biosecurity and arrange for them to pick

up the bat as soon as possible. Always wash your hands thoroughly after

giving any treatment and after handling bats.

http://www.bats.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Orphan-Care-Manual-September-2010.pdf


March 2012 14

BAT CONSERVATION & RESCUE QLD AND BATS As Bat Conservation and Rescue Qld. is a solely bat dedicated organisation, we have a few special

requirements. It is essential that rescuers have completed BCRQ bat training, that rescuers are

vaccinated against Rabies (which will protect you from Australian Bat Lyssavirus- according to Q

Health and DEHP) and that you maintain acceptable levels of immunity. All rescue calls must go

through the dedicated ‘Bat Phone' on 0488 228 134 so that we can record and correlate rescue

information. This information can then be used to facilitate change. There is no point raising

orphaned baby flying-foxes to adulthood if we cannot improve the safety of the environment in

which they live. We all need to identify and work towards removing the hazards they encounter on a

daily basis and we can attempt to do this at every rescue we attend. Please assist by collecting

information and photographic data. This may help to facilitate change in the use of barbed wire and

backyard fruit tree netting and to also heighten the level of tolerance, acceptance and awareness

towards bats, the most maligned of our wildlife species.

VACCINATION POLICY Due to the increased potential for exposure to Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV), Bat Conservation

and Rescue Qld. requires all members who wish to handle bats be vaccinated against rabies. This is

also a ruling under the DEHP Code of Practice for bat handlers.

All Active Members are required to keep their Titre Levels checked as per the schedule below as

advised by Dr Deb the Travel Doctor’s office .

Titre level to be check two weeks after initial vaccination and then in twelve month’s time; using the results of the second test a blood test should be carried out as follows:-

Titre level >4 blood test every two years.

Titre level <4 blood test annually.

If your titre level falls below 2 you should speak to your doctor regarding a booster vaccination. A

copy of this result must be provided to the Membership Secretary each year with your membership

renewal. Bat carers with inadequate titre levels are NOT permitted to handle bats. It remains the

responsibility of the individual member to ensure that their titre levels are monitored and

maintained at satisfactory levels. BCRQ recommend that your levels do not drop below 2.00 IU/ml.

Dr. Deb the Travel Doctor, provides an annual titre level testing reminder service for members or

testing is available from Sullivan and Nicolaides. Levels must be maintained above 0.50 IU/m.

THE ‘BAT PHONE’ You will receive calls for rescues from the phone co-ordinator and you will be given as much

information as was available at the time. The caller may also require you to phone them and notify

them of your estimated time of arrival. The phone co-ordinator will record the rescue and it is then

the rescuers responsibility to complete their records. If the animal goes to another member for

rehab, it is the second member's responsibility to complete the record. Maintaining accurate and

updated records are vitally important. Please do not neglect this area of our business.

The phone co-ordinator is the person to contact if you have any problems at the rescue or if you

need advice or assistance. If you need to pass an animal on to another carer following rescue or after

completion of medication, please contact a rehab co-ordinator. Please always notify the phone co-

ordinator of the outcome of the rescue and provide weights and forearm measurements.

http://www.bats.org.au/wp-content/uploads/BCR_Rabies-form-for-Dr-Deb.doc


March 2012 15

If you receive calls privately to rescue bats, please ensure that you pass the details onto the phone

co-ordinator so we can collect data on the problems affecting our bats. We also need details of any

other bat rescues you perform for insurance purposes. It is a requirement that only appropriately

vaccinated volunteers are sent on rescues. For your safety, please report all bat rescues to the phone

co-ordinator as soon as you received them.

DEALING WITH A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC Information that is given to a member of the public may result in a legal liability to you or to Bat

Conservation and Rescue Qld. Therefore, when attending a rescue, please do not make comment

regarding viruses or disease risk. Refer them to either Q Health or DAFF for further information. If a

member of the public has been bitten or scratched, the only information you can safely offer is to

insist that they immediately wash (not scrub) the wound for 5 minutes with soap and running

water and to then contact their doctor. The President must be informed immediately whereupon

he/she will advise the member of the public of the low but potential risk of infection. The President

will then follow up with Q Health in accordance with their procedures. The carer may be asked to

euthanase the animal as a C3 bat and Q health will arrange for the animal to be delivered to the

laboratory for testing. If you are a recipient of free vaccinations by Q Health, you may well be called

upon to perform this duty as per your signed agreement. Please note your mileage and time as you

may be eligible for reimbursement of fuel costs and a meal subsidy.

Do not attempt to give more details about types of diseases or comment on the likelihood of

contracting a disease. We need to ensure people are given the latest and up to date CORRECT

information.

IF A CARER / RESCUER IS BITTEN Please ensure you wear protective clothing for every rescue and while assessing and administering

first aid to bats. Remember, bats are wild animals with very formidable teeth and claws. When

frightened or in pain they will bite and they may lash out. In stressful situations such as a rescue,

their behaviour can be unpredictable and you must exercise extreme caution. Always wear gloves

and sleeve protectors and maintain a firm grip around the back of the head.

DO NOT BE COMPLACENT – DO NOT EXPOSE YOURSELF TO THE POTENTIAL DANGERS FROM BITES AND THEREFORE ALSO RISK THE BATS LIFE. THE NEXT TIME A CARER DIES FROM LYSSAVIRUS THE AUTHORITIES MAY STOP PEOPLE FROM RESCUING AND CARING FOR THESE MAGNIFICENT MAMMALS. BATS DON’T GET OFF LIGHTLY EITHER – PLEASE DO NOT GET BITTEN!

Wear appropriate clothing when handling a bat. When in public we have a duty of care to show people that they must not think they can pick up a bat with bare hands. We must lead by example.

If you are bitten, wash the wound immediately with soap under running water for 5 minutes. Immediately call the BCRQ president – 0425 73 4008 who will then advise appropriate action.


March 2012 16

QUEENSLAND HEALTH FLOW CHART

Feeding a Greater broad nose microbat a mealworm – note those sharp teeth!

Photo: Marg Snowden


March 2012 17

WHAT IS A BAT? Bats are placental mammals of the order Chiroptera (hand-winged) and are the world’s only true

flying mammals. There are over 1000 species worldwide, occurring on every continent except

Antarctica. Of these, over 90 species are native to Australia. They are divided into two sub orders:

Megachiroptera (flying-foxes, tube-nosed fruit bats and blossom bats) and Microchiroptera

(insectivorous or micro bats). In this manual we are referring to the care and rehabilitation of flying-

foxes. A separate manual is available for microbat care.

Bats appear to have arisen in tropical regions and to have spread to temperate areas but not much

further. Megachiropteran groups in Australia are primarily coastal, occurring from Melbourne and

around the coast (anticlockwise) to Western Australia. Microchiropteran groups occur across all

areas of Australia on both the mainland (including arid inland areas) and in Tasmania.

In both microbat and megabat the “hand” has been adapted as a wing. Over millions of years their

finger bones have elongated to form a supporting structure for the wing membrane, which stretches

from finger 2, down the side of the body all the way to the side of the foot. This very flexible

membrane is composed of two layers of skin, encompassing fine muscles, elastic fibres and blood

vessels. Other adaptations to flight include reduced bone size, rotation of the hips, reduced muscle in

the legs and the development of an extra membrane between the legs. Generally speaking, bats

cannot walk, although several microbat species will come to the ground for prey and scuttle around

on toes and wings. The tendons in the foot ensure that the claws are locked in the hook position

when the bat is at rest and must be actively opened to disengage the claw.

Bats tend to have a long life span (even the small ones) and are slow to reach sexual maturity. They

breed in a specific season (varies with the species but is usually in Spring) and may have one or two

young, depending on the species. Megabats usually only give birth to a single baby.

There are three Megachiropteran groups in Australia: flying-foxes, tube-nosed fruit bats and blossom

bats. All feed on blossom or fruits or both. There are six families of microbats in Australia with widely

varying diets, although most are insectivorous. Some are also carnivorous eating small frogs, mice,

lizards and even other bats.

FLYING-FOXES - MEGACHIROPTERA Flying-foxes are large and extremely social bats that live in

colonies, often in their thousands in primarily forests and

mangroves.

There are four main species of flying-fox in Australia:

Black Flying-Fox (Pteropus alecto) - found in coastal

areas from northern NSW across the top of Australia to approximately Shark Bay in WA.

Spectacled Flying-Fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) - found in northern coastal Queensland.

Grey-headed Flying-Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) - found from southern Queensland to

southern Victoria.

Little Red Flying-Fox (Pteropus scapulatus) - found overlapping the other species territory in

theory but rarely south of Newcastle NSW.


March 2012 18

Flying-foxes are mostly nomadic within their range and move to follow the flowering or fruiting

patterns of native trees. All flying-foxes feed on either blossom (nectar) or fruit with a preference for

nectar and pollen.

Megabats, particularly flying-foxes, play a unique role in the survival of Australian forests. They are

the prime pollinators and seed dispersers of forest trees. Flying-foxes can cover 100 km in a night,

thereby carrying pollen and seed to new areas. Their extremely fast digestive system – around 20

minutes – assists in dispersing seeds. The more damage done to forests by humans, the more critical

their role becomes for forest health and survival.

Flying-foxes tend to be migratory and will move between campsites depending upon weather

conditions and the availability of food. Once a camp is established, flying-foxes will continue to

occupy it despite even major disruption. There are over 50 camps within a 40 km radius of Brisbane's

CBD. Flying-foxes search for their food by sight and smell – they DO NOT echolocate. They are

believed to live approximately 10 to 15 years in the wild and over 20 years in captivity.

Sexual maturity does not occur in males until the third year although some do breed in their second

year. Females as young as 15 months have been known to give birth. The majority of young are born

during October and November (except Little Reds who bear young in April-May). The single baby is

carried for three to four weeks after birth and then left in the colony or a nearby tree overnight

when they become too heavy. Young are born furred, except for the belly and with their eyes open.

Although colonies are for now protected by law, destruction and illegal disturbance of colonies is on

the increase. This puts an increasing pressure on the remaining sites and surrounding foraging areas.

We are now seeing camps fracturing into smaller groups and moving into undesirable locations.

Flying-foxes also encounter a number of other threats as a result of their interactions with the

human world:

Electrocution on power lines

Legal and Illegal shooting by orchardists and

members of the public

Entanglement in backyard fruit tree netting

Entrapment on barbed wire fences

Attacks by dogs

Grey-headed and Spectacled Flying-foxes are both Federally

listed as vulnerable to extinction, with the Grey-headed and

the Black listed in Victoria and NSW as vulnerable.

Queensland has not yet acted on advice to list them although

compelling scientific evidence confirms declining populations

of Grey-headed flying-foxes. All bat species are classed as

protected native wildlife and it is still illegal to kill or disperse

them without a Damage Mitigation Permit.

Despite being declared inhumane by The Qld. Animal Welfare Advisory Committee in 2008, lethal

DMPs to shoot flying-foxes in orchards were reintroduced in 2012. Bats are still being illegally shot

and if you see or suspect illegal shooting, please report this to DEHP immediately and request an

RSPCA inspector attend. Mitigation permits are still being issued in NSW to shoot flying-foxes.

Photo: Australian Wildlife Hospital


March 2012 19

BRISBANE’S FLYING-FOXES In the Brisbane region we are likely to encounter 3 species of Flying-fox: The Black Flying-fox, Grey-headed

Flying-fox and the Little-Red flying-fox. It is therefore important to establish which species of flying-fox you

are dealing with as their care, particularly their diet, is slightly different. Note that all the information

regarding care and feeding in this manual is specific to the Black and Grey Headed Flying-Fox. Consult your

co-ordinator immediately if you get a different species into care.

Grey-headed Flying-fox - Pteropus poliocephalus

Adult weight 500 – just over 1 kg

Forearm 150 – 180mm

Have very fluffy fur around face,

some with white stripe or dot

Most noticeable difference is furry

legs to the toes

Large collar of bright orange

encircles the neck

Fur appears fluffy and speckled

grey

Wing membrane is greyish black

and more transparent than blacks

when seen in flight

Gives birth late September to

December

30 yrs ago was the dominant

species in SE Qld.

Photo: Ted Collis

Photo: Denise Wade

Black Flying-fox - Pteropus alecto

Adult weigh between 500gms to over

Ikg

Forearm 150 – 190mm

Has more rounded ears than LRFF or

GHFF

Generally black all over with

variations, some frosty grey

Back of neck mostly red brown and

sometimes not obvious

Do not have fur on lower legs

Usually gives birth October to

December

Has become the dominant species in

SE Qld.

Photo: Paul Gibson


March 2012 20

Little Red Flying-fox - Pteropus scapulatus

The smallest of the 3 species

Adult weight 300gms – 600gms

Forearm 125 – 155 mm

Short sleek red brown fur

Longer pointier ears

Has semitransparent wings

Hangs together in clusters

Gives birth April – May

Are the most nomadic of the

species following the flowering

patterns of Eucalypt species

Nectar specialists rarely fruit

Is a regular visitor to SE Qld

through the summer months

AGE CHART The following chart provides information to assist in determining the age of a Flying-fox.

BABY JUVENILE SUB ADULT ADULT

Birth to 12 weeks of age

approximately

September to January.

Forearm up to 130 mm

Premature babies have

ears flat against head

and their tummy is

furless. Wings are tiny

and under developed

and membrane is thin.

12 weeks to 6 months of

age approximately

January to May.

Females: with a forearm

130 to 145mm, weight

up to 450gms with no

nipple development.

Males: 130 to 150 mm

forearm weight to

500gms penis and testes

small.

6 months to 18 months

Females 145 mm to

155mm weight to

550gms.Nipples small

and underdeveloped.

By 15 months can have

first baby.

Males: Forearm 145 –

160mm weight up to

600gms. Penis and

testicles small and not

fully developed. Not

sexually mature until 3

yrs old.

Over 18months of age

Females: Forearm over

155mm. At this age

females can be: with

young, be pregnant, be

lactating and have

enlarged nipples.

Males: Forearm over

160mm weight over

600gms. Large penis and

testicles.

Photo: Denise Wade


March 2012 21

MICROBATS - MICROCHIROPTERA There are many species of micro or insectivorous bats and approximately 75

species are found in Australia. In South-East Qld. there are about 36 species.

Their body weight varies from 2 grams to 170 grams and new babies are about

10% of their mother’s bodyweight. The wingspan of an insectivorous microbat

is usually in the range of 28-40mm.Most microbats eat flying insects. They

consume up to half their body weight in mosquitoes, moths and beetles each

night. At certain times of the year they will seek out and eat flying termites

and grain weevil beetles and they will even come to the ground to eat

cockroaches.

Microbats echolocate to generate information about their surroundings and to help them locate insects. It’s

like hearing with pictures. They are not blind and they have small but well developed eyes. They produce

high frequency sound pulses (above 20 kHz) through their nose or mouth. A flap of skin in front of the ear

(tragus) directs the returning echoes. When cruising, microbats emit about 10 pulses per second but when

an insect is detected, the pulses rise to over 100 per second.

Microbats usually live in tree hollows, caves or other crevices

– including roof or wall cavities. They may live in colonies but

are sometimes solitary. They are extremely particular about

temperature and humidity for roost sites. The competition for

available roost sites is now seeing microbats being „evicted'

from nesting hollows by hollow seeking birds, possums, gliders

and reptiles. This is forcing microbats to take up residence in

manmade structures such as roofs and pool-side umbrellas.

Microbats use daily and seasonal torpor (during winter) to

conserve energy. During summer/autumn bats build up fat

reserves to survive the torpor period. Their ability to store

reserves is limited so it is important not to disturb roosting

bats in winter. They are also very slow to ‘wake up’ and are easy

prey for butcher birds and cats if the roost is disturbed. Cat

attack, disturbance and subsequent harm, is the main

reason Brisbane microbats come into care. Gestation is

approximately 12 weeks and babies are born from

November to December. Some species have twins (Gould's Wattled Bat)whilst others have a single baby

(Bent Wing Bats, also found in Brisbane).The babies are born furless with closed eyes and approximately

10% of adult body weight. Within a week, fur appears and by 3 to 4 weeks they look like miniature adults.

They can fly at around 5 to 6 weeks of age. Mum will only carry her babies with her for 3 days and after that

the babies are left at a maternity site with many other babies. Mother bats call to their young to find them

in the colony when returning from feeding.

BAT IDENTIFICATION - DO I HAVE A MICROBAT OR A MEGABAT? It is important to differentiate between microbats and baby flying-foxes as their care and treatment are

significantly different. Baby flying-foxes are usually born weighing around 70g (sometimes over 100g).

Microbats are usually smaller than a mouse and can easily be held in a closed hand. Although a baby flying-

fox is almost always considerably bigger than a microbat, mistakes are often made by the public.

This Greater broad-nosed microbat was found on her back

on the ground with her wings tightly wrapped around her

large young. Nest seeking Dollar birds had plucked her out

of her hollow and due to the size of her baby she had fallen

to the ground. We successfully released them both later

that night as there were many hollows throughout this leafy

suburb and they would have had an alternative roost.

and


March 2012 22

There are several key characteristics to distinguish microbat from megabat:

FLYING-FOXES MICROBATS

Have forward facing eyes

Have simple ear structure

Have large clawed feet, even as babies

Have faces that resemble dogs or foxes

Have wings with two claws that can grasp,

the thumb and one on the second finger

Wings that wrap right around their bodies

when at rest

Are born with eyes open and fully furred

No flying-foxes have tails i .

Have small eyes more to the sides of their

heads

Have very small feet

Generally have complex nose and ear

shapes some with flaps or folds

Hold their wings at their sides

Have only one claw & that is on their thumb

Are born with eyes sealed and are naked

All microbats have tails

i.) The only megabats with tails are the Queensland Tube nosed bat (Nyctimene robinsonii) and the Northern Blossom bat (Macroglossus lagochilus), in which a small tail remnant is evident.

Identifying microbats beyond a generic family is sometimes very difficult. One of the microbat care

members may be able to identify the species for you if you send a digital image via email. It is always

interesting and rewarding to know which species you are caring for. As microbats have specific housing and

feeding requirements, you should always consult an experienced carer or a microbat co-ordinator if in

doubt.

MEGA OR MICRO?

Both of the bats pictured are the size of your hand.

One is a White Striped Free-tail microbat and the other is a Black flying-fox. To the public it is just a bat.

What are the differences?

One has a tail, one does not

One has tiny feet, the other one has large oversized feet with claws

One has large oversized ears

One has tiny eyes and the other has large eyes

One may make clicking or chirping noises the other cries like a bleating lamb

These are just a few of the differences between microbat and megabat.


March 2012 23


March 2012 24

BAT RESCUE You are likely to encounter a wide variety of rescue situations when rescuing bats. Whilst it is impossible

to cover all eventualities, the aim of this section is to provide information on how to prepare for and

deal with most bat rescues.

Rescue situations can sometimes present you with a

golden opportunity for education and if the property

owner is in attendance, you have a readymade, captive

audience. As bats are rarely seen up close and personal,

most people will show some interest in the animal you

have just rescued. Please use this opportunity to

educate and enlighten as many people as you can and

to hand out our brochures. Explain the wonder and

necessity of our unique flying mammals and help to

change preconceived opinions of their worth and the

precarious state of their environment.

We are often the only voice that these animals have and

we need to convey to the general public the truth about

bats. Intelligent, sentient forest makers, forced to

negotiate a hostile world of human obstacles, ignorance

and indifference.

If we fail to educate, we simply become a body retrieval

service and the cruel fates suffered by so many bats will

be perpetuated in an endless cycle. There is the

potential to change attitudes at every rescue we attend.

PREPARATION FOR A RESCUE –PHOTOS AND EDUCATIONAL

BROCHURES The phone co-ordinator will have ascertained as many details as possible about the rescue before calling

you. Before leaving home, ensure that you are suitably prepared and equipped. Please remember to

take a camera with you and use the opportunity to photograph the rescue situation and the injuries

inflicted upon the animal. Photos, no matter how graphic, are important tools that can help to educate

other members, politicians, local councillors and members of the public to the plight of bats. Also

remember to take our brochures as many people have found us through phone calls to other

organisations. The main flyer also has donation details – you just never know who you will meet!

Be prepared for anything. A call for a baby bat may be for an adult or a call for a microbat may be for a

flying-fox. You are relying on information from members of the public who often have very little

knowledge of bats.

Under no circumstances do we ever advise a member of the public to handle a bat. In fact, you should

insist that they do not touch the bat and check that they have not been bitten. In practice, many people

are well meaning and will not leave an animal in danger regardless of what you say. If the bat is

exposed, the phone co-ordinator may have advised the person to cover it with a blanket/towel or a


March 2012 25

weighted box or laundry basket to protect it until you arrive. It is important that the bat does not escape

once it has been contained as it may climb out of reach and become a difficult rescue.

Questions the caller will have been asked by the phone co-ordinator include:

Where is the bat located?

On the ground - Is it in danger from dogs, ants, crows, etc? Can the caller shelter the animal

under a box, laundry basket, blanket or a towel?

Is the bat hanging in a tree or entangled on barbed-wire?

How high up is it? Will you need a ladder?

On power lines - is it dead or alive and can they see or hear a baby? What is the pole number?

Is it in direct sunlight? Bats can become quickly dehydrated and suffer heat stress in these

situations.

Can the caller provide some shade, an umbrella, a sheet or cover the bat with a damp towel?

A bat on barbed wire should be covered completely to reduce stress and biting the barbs.

How is the bat behaving? Is it just hanging? Thrashing around? Screaming?

Can the caller remove pets, children and onlookers to alleviate stress on the bat?

Some points you need to consider include:

Can you go immediately? If not, consider the needs of the bat. A microbat safely contained in a box in a

quiet house can probably wait an hour. A flying-fox on barbed wire or caught in netting cannot. If you

cannot attend quickly, please refuse the rescue. If you are the only person available you should discuss

the situation with the phone co-ordinator.

Will you need assistance? Rescues where bats are entangled or in difficult to reach locations are much

easier and safer with assistance from another experienced bat carer.

What equipment will you need? Information about useful equipment for bat rescues is detailed in

the next section and also in your flyer entitled ‘Bat Carer’s Manual Supplement’. Of course the type of

rescue will dictate which equipment you will need. However, you should always be prepared to

provide heat for a rescued bat as you cannot rely on the caller's assessment of the age of the bat or

its condition.

Do you have appropriate clothing for a rescue? Gloves, long sleeved shirt, long trousers and closed

shoes are recommended.

Where is your nearest vet? If you need veterinary assistance, call the phone co-ordinator who will then

contact the closest vet and inquire as to their willingness to treat the bat. If the bat requires euthanasia

and no vet can be found, please be aware that Bat Conservation and Rescue Qld has three members

licensed for euthanasia and the RSPCA will also perform this service 24 hrs x 7 days.

Some rescues will test your capture skills while others will be emotionally difficult due to the suffering you witness. Know that with every rescue you perform you are helping to relieve that suffering and you can make a difference to the lives of bats and educate people at the same time.

Photos: L. Saunders, Denise

Wade, Sam Longman.


March 2012 26

RESCUE EQUIPMENT Some rescue situations require special equipment but there are some basics that you should always take

with you. It's worthwhile setting up a basic kit that you can quickly grab when you get a call and simply add

the extras when needed.

Basic rescue kit:

Item Use Description

BCRQ flyer

Education

Use one of our education flyers to educate the people at the rescue. They may wish to make a donation or help bats too.

Small cloth bag

or pillowcase

Microbats –

transport and

housing

A cotton or flannelette pillowcase is ideal. A rubber band or some other method of securing the opening is vital as microbats are renowned escape artists.

Carry cage Transport A cat carry cage or similar lined with a towel to prevent injury and to provide shelter. Newly rescued animals should not be allowed to hang. Prepare a bed of towels almost to the top of the cage. Once the bat is placed in the cage its shoulders, head and back should be supported.

Towels / nappies

Wrapping, sling support, mumma, cage liner and cover.

Thick towels for containing the bat during the initial rescue and to wrap and warm if the animal is suffering from shock or broken bones. Also useful for protecting yourself and the bat during barbed wire rescues. Smaller soft cloths for babies – take plenty of towels just in case! A pillow case for barbed wire rescues to pull up over the bat and peg in place is also a good way to protect the bat and yourself from injury.

Gloves and long sleeve shirts

Protection Mandatory for rescuers. Long sleeves for protecting arms from sharp claws. Firm pig skin or heavier for gloves. Cotton gloves can be used for microbats or you can pick them up using a cloth.

Heat Pad/ Hot water bottle

Heating Chemical heat pads, hot water bottles or electric heat pads with car adapters can all be used. Be careful not to overheat (use a thermometer to be safe). Take plenty of warm bunny rugs or flannelette cloths. Never heat microbats as they can easily overheat and may in fact be in torpor.

Fluids Rehydration Diluted Ribena cordial or 25% fruit juice poppers (not 100% fruit juices) and Hydrolyte rehydration solutions are ideal for this. For baby flying-foxes, use glucose and pre-boiled water warmed to body temperature in a bottle with a teat. Make sure the teat has a small hole as babies are not used to feeding from these and may inhale fluid.

Water First Aid, cooling It is always a good idea to have water with you. It can be used to help cool an overheated bat and be used for rehydration or first aid if required. Also great for washing your hands.

Spray bottle -water

To soften wing membrane

Water can be carried in a spray bottle and used to rehydrate and soften wing membrane for animals caught on barbed-wire. The water makes the membrane easier to remove from the barbs.

Sanitizing gel or similar

Carer personal hygiene

This is great to have on hand when you are unable to wash your hands after a messy rescue.


March 2012 27

RESCUE KIT OPTIONAL EXTRAS: You may want to keep some of these items in your basic kit so that you will be prepared for a variety of

situations.

Item Use Description Scissors Cutting

netting, etc. Large enough to cut through fruit tree netting. An extra smaller pair with rounded tips is preferable for cutting netting close to the bat & to prevent injury from the sharp tip of normal scissors.

Secateurs Cutting branches It is sometimes simpler to remove a branch if the bat is caught in netting. Remember to ask the owner's permission before proceeding. You may also be able to collect branches and blossom. Check with your council first as some areas do not allow road side collection.

Wire cutters

Cutting wire Usually necessary for barbed wire rescues. Be very careful as most barbed wire is strung under extremely high tension. Always stand directly behind the cutters when cutting the wire and ask other people to stand well back. For your safety and also the bats safety, bridge the fence with wire before cutting.

Thin wire Repairing wire

Thin, strong wire can be used to maintain tension on wire to prevent cut wire from springing back and possibly causing injury.

Torch Lighting& visibility

Necessary for finding dark bats in the bushes at night! It's also important that you have a good view of the situation to ensure a safe rescue.

Binoculars Visibility Helps to get a better view of the situation and is particularly useful for looking for babies on dead mothers on powerlines.

Ladder Safely reach the bat

If you have a portable one, it's worth taking for every rescue. Don't trust, “It’s easily reachable from the ground!”

Surveyors flagging tape

To make barbed-wire more visible

Tie in strips so that it flaps in the breeze and makes the wire more visible so additional animals are not caught.

Whistle or mobile phone

Where babies are suspected

For dead bodies on power lines where babies are suspected. Use a high pitched mobile phone ring tone or a whistle. The baby should respond.

Plastic bag and pen

Dead bodies It may be important to collect and keep a dead body so a plastic bag and permanent marking pen could be handy.

25% Juice or diluted Ribena given via a

pipette or a piece of banana or a grape

(on the end of a skewer) will calm the bat

down while you carefully cut away all of

the netting. This can and should be done

on site as quickly as possible. It is also a

good education for the home owner to

see the horrors of netting. Do not allow

people to help you as this is when they

may get scratched.


March 2012 28

AT THE RESCUE - KEEP S A F E

Stand back and ‘OBSERVE' – spot the hazards

It's important that you assess each individual rescue situation – don’t rush in. Take time to look around you

and assess not only the risks to the bat but also any potential hazards to yourself and others. Keep the

public at a distance and ensure all pets and children are kept safely away.

Things to observe include:

Type of bat - flying-fox or microbat, adult or baby.

Where can it escape to? It's important that the bat isn't allowed to escape as you try to rescue it. You

need to keep control, for if the bat escapes it may die painfully many days later from its injuries.

Obstacles – what's between you and the bat?

How is it hanging? Is it able to support itself or does it have injuries preventing this? Does it have a

dropped wing or is it unable to wrap properly indicating injury?

These observations will help you identify how you should best handle the rescue of this bat to avoid injury

to yourself and further pain, injury or escape to the bat.

Assess the rescue and the risk – Plan ahead

Although it's important to contain the bat fairly quickly, you need to assess the overall situation and plan your

rescue. Decide how you will execute each stage of the rescue. Rescues can be difficult enough but if you're

half way up a tree and realise that you need a piece of equipment that's on the ground, you are making it

harder for yourself.

Points to consider include:

Which equipment will you need to have close at hand?

Plan your path to the bat as well as your return path (can you manage it if both your hands are

needed to hold the bat?) Where will you put the bat after you rescue it?

Fix the problem – doing the rescue

Move deliberately and quietly. Allow the bat to become accustomed to your presence. Speak quietly to it.

Now is the time to look for injuries – does the animal have a dropped wing, can you see blood on it

anywhere or are there signs of exposed bone or mouth injuries?

Once captured, offer a ripe banana to keep the bitey end busy. Give its feet a stable anchor to grip onto as this

will calm the animal and help it feel secure. You can use the fold of a towel, the leg of your jeans or a stick if

you have the bat on the ground removing netting or barbed wire. You must seek permission from the

property owner before cutting any fencing, netting or trees. After gaining permission and before cutting the

barbed wire, always attach a jump wire to the fence to avoid injury to both yourself and the bat and to

maintain the integrity of the fence. Tell onlookers to stand back as you cut the wire.

Always exercise caution when rescuing adult flying-foxes as they have sharp teeth and claws and a very

powerful bite. Although not generally considered aggressive, they can become extremely agitated and

distressed when injured or trapped and their behaviour can be unpredictable. It is recommended that you

use thick towels and wear gloves when capturing and handling flying-foxes. For your safety, contain the

bat by firmly grasping the back of it’s' neck and enfolding its' wings in a towel.

Evaluate the reason for the rescue.

Some scenarios may be obvious, (e.g. caught in netting) but others are less obvious. For example, flying-

foxes do not voluntarily land or remain on the ground. Therefore, a flying-fox on the ground is probably

badly injured. Why? Look for clues and consider the following: -


March 2012 29

Location:

Bottom of a stairwell - possibly didn't have room to take off

Under or near power lines - may be a non-fatal electrocution or hit by a car

Near a road - may have been hit by a car

Weather:

Was there a storm last night in that area? It may be exhausted or suffering from concussion

Have recent temperatures been extreme? Possible heat exhaustion or hypothermia

Nearby foods:

When flying low from vegetation bats can be attacked by dogs or collide with barbed wire fences

Cocos Palms can be responsible for many different rescue situations

Flying-foxes coming in to feed on Cocos palms can suffer entrapment on barbed wire fences or

power lines

Bats are also subject to dog attack when they come to the ground to eat dropped fruit

BE SAFE on ladders, handle bats in a thick towel with gloves on and call on other professionals

when it’s a bit too risky!

Photo: Denise Wade

Photo: Denise Wade

Photo: Caz Eaton


March 2012 30

HANDLING TECHNIQUES FOR RESCUE & REHAB Handling a wild flying-fox the first couple of times can be a very daunting prospect. They seem to have

uncontrollable flailing body parts with bitey bits and thrashing claws. Being able to confidently and safely

handle a bat is critically important in our line of work. Confidence comes with time and practice so be

patient with yourself if you find handling a wild bat difficult. We all have to start somewhere and it truly

does get easier the more you handle bats. We desperately want and need you to help us so here are a few

tips to help you overcome natural fears and improve your handling skills.

The education animals really love the distraction of new visitors and we will welcome you anytime you

want to practice your handling skills on a squirmy bat.

Tips for catching bats:

1. With gloved hands and a towel, approach the

bat confidently.

2. Keep your eyes fixed on their face, talk quietly

and try to anticipate their direction of movement.

3. Without hesitating, move your right hand (if

you are right handed) in behind the bat’s head and

grip it firmly.

4. With the feet still anchored to whatever it is

grasping, wrap your towel quickly and firmly around

the whole body including the wings.

5. Keeping a firm but not strangling grip on the

bats head, lift the body upwards to take the weight

off the bat’s feet.

6. Do not pull on the toes but gently peel the toe

nails sideways or lift the toes to slip them from their

perch.

7. Always maintain a firm hold on the feet or

anchor them into the towel. Bats only feel safe when

their feet have a firm grip on something. If their feet

are not firmly anchored, they will panic and their feet will flail around.

UNDERSTANDING THE LOCKING MECHANISM OF TOES AND THUMBS When a bat is hanging at rest it does so effortlessly and without any conscious effort on its part. When we

were kids at school and we were playing on the monkey bars, we were trying to defy gravity. We could only

do this until the effort of supporting our weight and the force of gravity made us let go.

So how do bats do it for so long?

Photo: Marg Snowden


March 2012 31

Bats have evolved to overcome the pull of gravity on the muscles in their feet. They easily reduce energy output

by having a sophisticated tendon-locking mechanism that keeps their claws clenched. The Flexor and Plantaris

muscles are a distance from the toe bones and they act like a pulley system by passing through a sheath which is

anchored to the toe bone. When the toes come into contact with a branch and the muscles pull on the tendons,

the sheer weight of the bat pulls the tendons through the sheath and then locks them into place by the ridged

surface of the sheath. By removing the weight of the bat on these tendons, the muscles and tendons are

automatically released. This mechanism works so well that sometimes even dead bats are locked onto power

lines or branches. This same mechanism is utilised for thumbs.

So, when on a rescue or attempting to get a bat out of a

cage, always control the head with one hand, lift the body

up towards the feet and then disengage the feet from

their perch. Always position yourself so you are high

enough up the ladder to lift the bat’s body upwards. To

attempt to remove a flying-fox while its toes or thumbs

are still anchored could do permanent damage and even

pull nails from the nail bed and we all know how painful

this can be!

Photo: Marg Snowden


March 2012 32

COMMON RESCUE SCENARIOS Microbats on the ground Microbats are commonly found on the ground and they are easily picked up and placed into a box.

Difficulties can sometimes arise as microbats often crawl into inaccessible places.

Microbats in the house Sometimes microbats are found in inappropriate places such as inside houses. In these situations, it should

be a simple procedure to enfold the microbat into a towel or cloth once it tires and lands. You can then just

pop it into a box for the day and then take the bat outside at dusk. With the microbat clinging to the cloth,

peg the cloth on the clothes line and the bat will recognise its familiar territory and it should fly off. If the

bat is evasive and impossible to catch, it is often easier to simply close off the rest of the house, turn off the

lights and fans and then open all exterior doors and windows to allow the microbat to find its' own way to

freedom. Microbat releases should only be attempted after sunset and never during the day. Kookaburras

and butcher birds are active during the daylight hours. Therefore only release microbats after dusk.

Once you have the bat: Assess the bat's condition. If the bat seems seriously ill or injured, contact your phone co-ordinator to obtain

guidance on appropriate action. Otherwise, transport the animal to a willing vet or experienced carer for a

more detailed examination. After rescuing a microbat, please ensure that the microbat is either clinging to

the side of, or at the bottom of your pillowcase or bag before securing the bag with a rubber band. You

can then hang the bag in a rescue cage to keep it safe. Please pad the cage to prevent the bag swinging or

sliding around during transport. Remember, it is a small fragile animal and so you must be careful not to

place other things on top of it.

Flying-Fox unable to fly or found on the ground Consider the best line of approach. You want to reach the bat without further alarming it and have it

wrapped in a towel before it can react. Access to the head and wings are the priority here. Protect the bat

from harming itself by keeping its wings contained and protect yourself by securing the flying-fox with a

firm grip around the back of its head. Covering its eyes, you can then wrap the wings up in the towel to

avoid being bitten or scratched. This will alleviate stress for both you and the bat and improve your ability

to control the animal.

If it is a baby bat it will require immediate warmth. It is not uncommon for babies to be found on the

ground after having fallen from their mother. Can you reunite it? If the baby is an acceptable weight for

forearm, not injured or severely dehydrated and has been found under a food tree, a reunion may be

possible. Remember baby bats are immediately comforted when they have something in their mouth. Have

a dummy on hand or give the baby a corner of the cloth to suck. Be careful and don’t get bitten as they can

draw blood with their tiny, sharp, milk teeth.

DO NOT ALLOW INJURED ANIMALS TO HANG. Do not attempt

to hang a bat that has a broken or dislocated limb or any animal

rescued from barbed wire, netting, car strike or dog attack.

Please be aware that wrapping or immobilizing a broken bone

can reduce pain by up to 50%. Never place a rescued animal on

its injured side. Overheating can occur with wrapped animals in

warm weather so please be aware of this and dampen your

towels with water if necessary when transporting a bat. Photo: L Saunders


March 2012 33

Bat already in a box – Pick-Up and transport

If the caller has already put the bat into a box, confirm with them

that they have not been bitten. You will need to perform an initial

assessment to determine the health of the flying-fox and then

transfer the animal to your carry cage. This initial assessment will

help you decide whether to either place the bat into a cat carry cage

that has been half filled with towels so that the bat is in a supported

bed or fully wrapped, in bed for transport. Never allow an animal

with broken bones, dislocations or an animal suspected of being in

shock, suffering concussion or electrocuted, to hang. This is cruel and unnecessary. Would you like to stand

in an ambulance on the way to hospital? No. So an injured bat must be fully supported in bed for transport.

Bat at the Vet Flying-foxes do not cope well with being left in a vet clinic. The noise of barking dogs and foreign smells will

add to their stress. If you are asked to collect an animal from a vet, do so as soon as possible. If you take a

bat to the vet and you are asked to leave it for them to check later, decline and make arrangements to

bring the bat back at a set time. At home you can give 24hr nursing care, attend to hydration, pain relief,

stress and shock and this may not happen at a busy vet surgery. Do not assume that the bat has been

checked, especially if the vets are not vaccinated. It is often the case they have not even looked to check if

it is critically injured. Try to examine the bat on the premises – preferably with the vet in attendance. Very

few vets are experienced with bats and not all treatments and drugs will be suitable.

If in doubt, check with a rehab co-ordinator before agreeing to treatment especially when an

inexperienced vet suggests euthanasing an animal and you are unsure. Please, never leave a bat at a vet

surgery.

Photo: L Saunders

Photo: Denise Wade


March 2012 34

Baby Bat on dead mother It will first be necessary to remove the baby from

the mother's teat. Young bats have backward

curving milk teeth which allow them to maintain a

secure grip on their mothers nipple. Never pull a

baby off the teat as you may damage the teeth or

break the baby’s jaw.

Instead: Gently squeeze the sides of the mouth

with your thumb and index finger and slip a rubber

teat or dummy into the baby’s mouth.

Examine the baby immediately. This is a good idea

even if you are collecting it from a vet as most vets

will not assess a bat. Move to a quiet safe place

first. You can fairly safely assume that all babies

are suffering from exposure, shock and

dehydration to some extent. If you will take more

than 10 minutes to reach home or another carer,

rehydration will need to be started by you. Only

attempt oral hydration when the baby is warm and

alert and use only warmed glucose and water to

rehydrate babies. Never attempt to rehydrate the baby with milk – give only glucose and water as a first

drink. If the baby is too weak to take fluids orally, then fluids will need to be administered urgently via

intraperitineal injection. Please refer to the First Aid section in this manual for a more detailed account of IP

injection. IP Injection can only be administered by a vet or a vet trained carer.

Check carefully for injuries, ants, fly eggs or maggots which could be hidden in the fur. Maggots and fly eggs

must be removed immediately and the bat checked thoroughly for hidden maggots or eggs. Remain vigilant

for several days following rescue as any eggs missed on your initial inspection will continue to hatch.

Place the baby with both head and face down on the mumma at a 45 degree angle and gently wrap (or

wrap mum and baby together). Assume the baby cannot thermoregulate. This means you must provide the

appropriate temperature, usually warmth. Carefully monitor the temperature as a baby can quickly

overheat and die.

Transport to an experienced carer for assessment and stabilisation.

Photo: Rachael McIntosh

Photo: Val Bonner-Burrows

Photo: MichealKratzz


March 2012 35

Bat on Power Lines This is unfortunately a commonly reported situation. It is important to ascertain whether the bat is alive or

dead and if there is a live baby onboard a dead mother. Binoculars are very useful in determining if there

are any survivors on the powerlines. A bat with its wings or feet touching both lines is most certainly dead

as it has had 11,000 volts of current passing through its body.

Most babies survive the electrocution of their mothers. It is sometimes difficult to ascertain if there is a

live baby on a dead mother and you may need to look very closely for signs of movement. It is worth

blowing a whistle or scrolling through mobile phone ringtones in an attempt to illicit a response from a

baby. Report all bats on powerlines to both the BCRQ rescue phone and also to Energex. During the months

of September through to January, live pups may still be attached to their dead mother or they may hang on

a line alone. The phone co-ordinator may ask you to attend a call for a baby on powerlines. These rescues

can take time as we have to rely on the generosity of the power company to rescue the bat. A vaccinated

carer must be in attendance to take the bat once it has been removed from the power lines.

For all electrocutions we need a street address (house number, street name and suburb) and if possible,

a pole number. Each power pole has an individual identity number which can be located by Energex on

their database. It is important to note whether the bat is on low voltage or on the high voltage lines, as

this can tell Energex which size cherry picker they will need. Electrocution information is important so

lines can be upgraded if multiple electrocutions have occurred at this address or vegetation needs

trimming. Flying-foxes not removed do attract others to their death so it is important to have the body

removed quickly once reported.

A note on electricity authorities – Staff at Energex are extremely helpful and they will do their best to

arrive at a site as soon as possible. A live animal is treated as a priority. Remember, they are doing us and

the baby a favour and they will try to phone on approach but this is not always possible. They must not be

kept waiting as they have very busy schedules. As their arrival can take several hours, it is desirable to have

several people sharing the wait. The caller may be willing to watch for their arrival and to also keep an eye

on the bat if you are no more than 5 to 10 minutes away. On occasion, babies have fallen so it is best to

wait on site if possible. Take something to read and remember that you may need to keep your heat source

hot for several hours. Always remember to thank the team from Energex who performed the rescue. If you

take their names and write to Energex they may receive a bonus for their community spirit. Naming the

baby after one of them can also be fun!

Baby flying-fox as above (page 34) Wrap the baby warmly and transport it to an experienced carer as soon as possible. It is advisable to place

the baby on a well wrapped heat source at the rescue site so that when you either arrive home or deliver it

to another carer, it will be warm and ready to be orally hydrated.

Remember to warm it through before hydrating. It will be thirsty, not hungry. Rehydrate with glucose and

cooled pre-boiled water only.

Photos: Ian Saunders


March 2012 36

Entanglement – Netting and Barbed Wire If at all possible, it is advisable to have at least two vaccinated people in attendance at these

rescues. However, there will be occasions where you will have to conduct rescues by yourself and

you may sometimes need to be resourceful and inventive. Where possible, team up with another

BCRQ member who lives close by.

Points to consider: Is any part of the bat free to be further entangled? Plan an approach to help prevent

this. The bat can sometimes move away which can cause further injury. If the bat is out of reach, are you

able to climb the tree or reach it from a balcony or ladder without the risk of personal injury?

If you can't reach the animal safely, request the phone co-ordinator contact the Australian Wildlife

Hospital, RSPCA or BCC wildlife ambulance for assistance. Determine the best line of approach – you want

to reach the bat without alarming it and have it wrapped in a towel before it can react. Access to its head

(mouth) and wings (thumb claws) are the things to consider.

Specifics for Net Caught rescues:

Please provide property owners with our brochures as well as advice regarding safe alternatives to drape

netting. Please also explain the toll that netting inflicts upon nocturnal wildlife and the suffering and death

that their chosen method results in. Show people the rescued flying-fox, safely contained and restrained

so they can see firsthand the injuries and the suffering. The public must be made aware that drape netting

is neither humane nor acceptable. Please be respectful and polite at all times but implore these people to

remove the netting and to use a commercial grade product such as Hailguard which is entirely wildlife safe

and guaranteed UV stabilised for 10 years.

Actively encourage people to return their netting to the place of purchase and to demand their money

back. Remind gardeners to ask why they weren’t informed that drape netting causes death and suffering

to native wildlife and why safe netting practices aren’t displayed and promoted at the point of sale.

Education at the point of sale is imperative and we need the public to demand that retailers stock wildlife

safe products and educate the community to the hazards of dangerous netting practices. Our netting

flyers are available from our web site. Please carry copies with you in the car to hand out at rescues.

Method:

With gloves ON, obtain a secure hold around the back of the neck of the flying-fox before attempting to

disentangle it. Once you have a good grip on its head, start cutting the netting from around the body of the

bat. Do not attempt to free the bat whilst it is still in the tree. Take the bat and the netting to the ground

first.

Photo: Corrine Lendon Photo: Louise Saunders

http://www.bats.org.au/wp-content/uploads/GARDEN-FRUIT-TREES-AND-WILDLIFE-11.pdf

http://www.bats.org.au/wp-content/uploads/GARDEN-FRUIT-TREES-AND-WILDLIFE-11.pdf


March 2012 37

Once the bat in the cut netting is taken down from the tree, it will be easier to carefully cut the rest of the

netting from the bat. Keep its feet grounded on the side of the cage or on your jeans and place a towel

between you and the bat so you can wrap each body part in the towel as it is disentangled. Firmly grasp the

back of the neck with one hand and cut away the netting with the other. It is important to remove netting

which is tightly wrapped around wrists or wings as soon as possible to prevent further blood loss and

constriction as this may compromise recovery. Carefully note the areas of constriction on the bat, as these

will be the areas to monitor closely during the next 7 to 10 days for dieback and swelling. ONLY in extreme

cases take the bat to a vet for sedation before removing the netting. Time is of the essence and netting

must be removed quickly and on site. Dark netting is notoriously difficult to see on black animals so be very

thorough and ensure that all netting is removed before leaving the rescue site.

You can always offer to remove the netting from the tree before leaving the premises thus avoiding future

entanglements. Suggest humane alternatives to netting e.g. HailGuard 15% shade cloth available from

Fernland Agencies, Coolaroo from Bunnings, Fruit Saver nets, Green Harvest fruit bags or an exclusion

frame covered with correctly attached and suitably tensioned netting.

Demonstrate the ‘bounce test' on their netting to reinforce your point. Please also show the property

owner the rescued bat safely wrapped in a towel. This then gives you the opportunity to do some

education, explain the benefits of flying-foxes to our environment and also to display the damage that

netting inflicts on living tissue.

For pain and swelling in net caught bats, we generally use Aspro Clear (use only the 300mg tablet). Aspro

Clear should only be used once hydration has been corrected and the bat checked for any signs of bleeding.

This includes checking for digested blood in faeces. DO NOT use Aspro Clear on dehydrated or

haemorrhaging animals, those suffering head trauma or late in pregnancy. Please refer to the medication

information in section 4 at the rear of the manual.

DO NOT RELEASE A FLYING-FOX FOR AT LEAST 14 DAYS as injuries are not always immediately apparent. If

your rescue animal is a lactating female, be extremely cautious if you intend to release before this 14 day

holding period. In these instances, please consult an experienced bat carer or a rehab co-ordinator to

discuss the best approach for the animal in your care.

MOST BATS IN NETTING ARE FEMALES THAT ARE LACTATING OR CARRYING YOUNG BABIES. INJURIES FROM NETTING

ARE CRUEL AND PAINFUL. REMOVE THE NETTING QUICKLY, GIVE PAIN RELIEF AND PROVIDE QUIET BED REST

Photos: Louise Saunders

http://www.fernland.com.au/

http://www.fruittreenets.info/

http://www.greenharvest.com.au/pestcontrol/exclusion_prod.html


March 2012 38

Specifics for Barbed Wire rescues:

If the property owner is in attendance, please attempt to

educate them and convey the message that barbed-wire

can be an appallingly cruel and unnecessary death sentence

for not only bats but nocturnal birds and gliders. Advise

them that by replacing the top strand of barbed wire with

plain wire, they can potentially reduce the catch rate by

80%. Ask if you can flag the fence with surveyors tape if food trees cannot be cut back or they will be

fruiting for an extended period. BE PROACTIVE. Describe and display the injuries inflicted upon animals that

hit the fence at speed and then chew their flesh in an effort to escape. Be polite and respectful at all times

but people must be made aware that barbed wire is an environmental nightmare that will continue to kill

for generations to come and its use must be discouraged and avoided. There are wildlife safe alternatives

available and these can be viewed at:www.wildlifefriendlyfencing.com Never tell a caller before your arrival

that you may need to cut the fence. In the past, bats have been cut off or killed by property owners to

avoid having their fence cut.

Method: Enclose the bat in a pillowcase or towel to prevent further injuries to its mouth and to encapsulate flailing

wings and legs. Cover the surrounding wire with towels to prevent you, your gear and especially the bat

from becoming further entangled. If the membrane of the caught wing is dry and/or pulled tightly on the

barbs, use water to wet and soften the membrane before attempting to free the bat .If it is only slightly

entangled (e.g. by one wing and one barb only) then wrap the bat and unwind it from the wire, gently

lifting the membrane free of the barbs. If the animal is entangled by both wings or it is trapped by multiple

barbs, it will be necessary to cut the wire. Before cutting the fence you must obtain permission from the

property owner. If permission is denied, inform the landowner that you will be contacting the RSPCA

immediately as to leave any animal on a barbed wire fence is considered an act of cruelty under the Animal

Care and Protection Act. If this stated fact is not enough to gain the required permission, call the phone co-

ordinator and ask them to connect you to the RSPCA.

You will need to secure the wire with a ‘jump wire' on either side of the proposed cuts to prevent the barbed

wire from springing back and injuring both yourself and the flying-fox. Be very careful here as sometimes

the barbed wire is strung under extreme tension and you must secure a jump wire before cutting the

barbed wire.

1. Cut the wire on either side of the bat (wrapped in its pillowcase or towel) as appropriate. Always

ask permission from the property owner before cutting the wire.

2. Remove the bat and wire and lift the wing free.

3. Assess the bats condition and administer immediate first aid.

4. Rehydrate the bat without delay. This will also help to calm the animal.

5. If the bat seems seriously injured, severely dehydrated or in shock, please contact a vet or a rehab

co-ordinator to obtain guidance on appropriate action.

6. In extreme cases take the bat to a vet for sedation before removing the wire. In this instance,

contact the phone co-ordinator immediately. Wrap carefully for transport.

7. If the bat is badly entangled in barbed wire, removal under general anaesthetic by a vet or under

sedation by an Alfaxan licensed and trained BCRQ member is to be encouraged.

8. Do not risk further injury or pain by forcing removal from the barbs if they are through the face. Cut

the wire, carefully wrap the bat in towels and take it immediately to the nearest willing vet or

experienced carer for assessment and treatment.

Photo: J&M Janssens

http://www.wildlifefriendlyfencing.com/

http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/N/NatureConA92.pdf

http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/N/NatureConA92.pdf


March 2012 39

All bats must be kept in care for at least 14 days following a barbed wire rescue as damage is not always

evident initially. All bats off barbed-wire should be given antibiotic medication under veterinary

supervision. We are now using Aspro Clear on bats off barbed wire to help prevent further dieback of

membrane. Aspro must only be administered to fully hydrated bats and it must be given with food. Aspro

Clear must never be given to animals exhibiting signs of suspected internal or actual bleeding, head injuries

or any animal requiring surgery. Please refer to the medication charts at the back of this manual for

accurate dose rates and do not use Aspro Clear with any other anti-inflammatory drugs such as Metacam.

Link to Carol Booth and Qld Conservation Councils document – Barbed-wire Action Plan;

http://www.mackayconservationgroup.org.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=5VRQJuoG5k

U%3D&tabid=61&mid=409

This illustration shows how to attach a bridge or jump wire before cutting a barbed-wire fence.

The blue line indicates where the bridge is to be strung – on the outside of the closest barbs and

the yellow line indicates where to cut the wire. Naturally, you would have the poor bat safely

contained in a towel before progressing with the wire. Note how this bat is biting the barbs. It is

imperative that you contain the bats head so it cannot access the barbs.

Photo: Corinne Lendon

http://www.mackayconservationgroup.org.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=5VRQJuoG5k%20U%3D&tabid=61&mid=409




March 2012 40

INITIAL ASSESSMENT & FIRST AID After the rescue

Give immediate first aid – urgently treat for dehydration and shock as these two components are

generally present to some degree in most rescued bats. Both conditions are relatively easy to reverse if

treated promptly and to delay treatment can ultimately result in the death of the bat. Please phone for

assistance quickly if and when you are unsure of treatment or presented symptoms. Failure to seek

assistance could mean the difference between life and death for the animal in your care.

Assess the animal before putting it into your rescue cage. If the flying-fox is quiet and unresponsive

then you may need to treat for shock and seek further advice urgently.

Vet assessment is essential for open wounds, burns, eye injuries and broken bones.

Seek euthanasia quickly if the animal is badly injured. Finger bones and some long bone fractures can

heal. Please seek veterinary advice for all fractures.

Rehydrate on site. If the animal is unable or unwilling to take fluids orally then you may need to

administer fluids via IP injection without delay. If you are unable to do this please seek urgent

assistance from either a vet or the phone or rehab co-ordinators.

Home treatment if there are no visible injuries. The fact that the animal required rescuing in the first

place indicates that there is a problem. Unless the animal was caught in netting or on barbed wire,

please seek advice from a vet if you are unsure.

Always protect lactating mothers, burns and open wounds from fly strike.

Shock is not always obvious or initially apparent and can sometimes appear in the days following

rescue. Please be aware that all rescued animals may require intervention for the treatment of shock.

Remain on the lookout for signs of shock and dehydration for several days following rescue.

Ensure that no member of the public has been bitten or scratched by the bat. Please read ‘Dealing with

a Member of the Public’ on page 15 for information on how to handle this particular situation.

Once you have rescued the bat, it's important to render immediate first aid and to do an initial assessment

to decide what treatment will be needed. You are required to assess the bat at the point of rescue. You can

then decide whether veterinary assistance will be needed or home treatment will suffice. For example, the

bat may have injuries that require immediate euthanasia or veterinary intervention. It may require a level

of care that you are unable to provide and therefore the bat will need to be taken directly to another carer.

If you do not feel confident performing this initial assessment, then you must seek help quickly and ring the

phone or rehab co-ordinators.

Obvious injuries such as heavily bleeding wounds, burns, severe mouth damage, broken bones or severe

membrane damage will mean that the bat needs to be taken directly to a vet. However, not all injuries are

straightforward and until you are more experienced with rescues and assessment, you can talk to a rehab

co-ordinator to help you decide the most appropriate course of action or treatment. Don’t forget that you

can also email injury photos to [email protected] for an online assessment.



March 2012 41

After the Rescue Continued….

Does the bat have obvious injuries such as broken thumbs, open fractures, exposed bones or massive wing

and membrane damage?

Are there signs of a ruptured hard palate or soft tissue damage in or around the mouth? Snuffling and fluid

seeping from the nose after giving juice can be signs of a punctured hard palate. By inserting a plastic (only)

pen or syringe into the side of the mouth, you may be able to see palate injuries. Soft tissue damage can

heal but a rupture in the hard palate is not a viable injury. Please be humane and euthanase promptly.

Are its' faeces dark in colour and do they have a metallic odour, indicating ingested blood or internal

bleeding? If you suspect any degree of internal bleeding never administer Aspro Clear as aspirin is an anti-

coagulant. It will make the bleeding worse and possibly kill the bat. Please seek veterinary advice if you are

unsure.

Is there any obvious bleeding or blood on the bat? Look for open wounds or open fractures.

Does the bat appear to be in pain? Pain can sometimes be difficult to recognise but look for half open eyes,

rapid respiration, trembling or obvious restlessness and distress. Remember, any injury that causes you

pain will also cause the bat the same degree of pain. Please address this situation and the cause of the pain

swiftly and compassionately with the use of pain relievers such as Children's Panadol or Painstop. Any

animal suffering severe pain will need to be assessed and treated by a vet.

If you are satisfied that the bat does not require veterinary attention, then offer fluids and soft fruit and

transport the animal home for a more thorough assessment.

Refer to the next section for details on how best to transport the rescued bat.

Euthanasia If your rescued flying-fox is deemed neither

releasable nor recoverable, please be aware that

euthanasia is the only reasonable alternative.

Viability assessments and long term rehab prospects

need to be discussed with a vet, co-ordinator or

experienced rehabber as Bat Conservation and

Rescue Qld. does not endorse a „life at any cost

mentality.

The only acceptable method of euthanasia for

flying-foxes and microbats is by Lethabarb injection.

It is kind and gentle for the bat and hopefully not stressful for the carer.

The phone co-ordinator can advise you where to access the nearest euthanasia for your rescue. Bat

Conservation and Rescue Qld have three members who have been trained and licensed to euthanase bats.

Some non-vaccinated vets will also euthanase if you are confident enough to restrain the bat safely. Ring

ahead and check first or the phone co-ordinator can do this for you. Make sure that the receptionist has

consulted the vet! At times we have arrived after ringing first only to have the vet refuse. If you are refused

treatment, calmly walk out then call the phone co-ordinator who will then find an alternative for you. The

RSPCA at Wacol also provides a 24/7 euthanasia service.

Even if you know that the animal must be euthanased, please give the flying-fox some juice and soft fruit to

eat if it is able. This will calm the bat and give it comfort when it needs it most. Ripe banana is seldom

refused. It may also be beneficial to administer a dose of Painstop before leaving the rescue site to provide

some pain relief en-route to the vet.

Photo: Louise Saunders


March 2012 42

EMERGENCY TREATMENT Shock All rescued animals will be suffering from shock to some degree. Shock can take many forms but the most

common variety that we see in rescued flying-foxes is Hypovolemic shock. This condition WILL be fatal if

not treated promptly. Shock is basically a systemic shutdown of the circulatory system and no amount of

oral fluids and bed rest will save an animal in descending shock. Most rescue situations that we encounter

will have put the bat’s body into an extremely stressed state and it is often unable to recover from this

degree of trauma by itself. We must therefore intervene and help the bat’s system to compensate and

reverse the effects of shock. Sometimes this requires a kick-start from us in the form of warmed IP fluids,

bed rest and artificial warmth – to a maximum of 34 degrees. Exercise caution when artificially heating a

flying-fox as it is very easy to overheat a bat and cause fatal injuries. Use a thermometer whenever possible

to ensure the temperature does not rise above 34 degrees.

Fortunately and if treated promptly shock is relatively easy to reverse. This condition will usually manifest

itself as a very quiet, placid, unresponsive animal with pale mucus membranes, lowered core body

temperature, a fixated vacant stare, reduced or absent light response in the pupils and general body

weakness.

Sometimes bats rescued from barbed wire or netting initially

appear to be perfectly healthy and well apart from minor

membrane or mouth damage. But not uncommonly, several

hours following rescue, the same animal can crash and

subsequently die very rapidly. How can this be when a couple

of hours before this animal appeared to be responsive and

alert?

This silent slide into unconsciousness and death can occur as a

result of shock and we need to monitor all newly rescued animals

carefully for the first couple of days as shock can still claim victims

after this time. This does not mean however, that every animal

that comes into care is a candidate for IP fluids and bed rest. Just

be aware of shock and its symptoms and if in doubt, consult your vet.

How to accurately assess core body temperatures The only accurate method of assessing core body temperature is by taking the bat’s temperature rectally.

This is much easier than it sounds and all it requires is a digital thermometer (ideally one specifically

allocated for use on flying-foxes) and some lubricant such as Vaseline. As thermometers are produced in

different sizes, please choose one with a small tip for the comfort and safety of the flying-fox. Safely

restrain the bat and then apply some Vaseline to the tip and insert. Gentle pressure is all that is required

and insert ONLY the tip. To push any further will cause pain and possible internal injury to the flying-fox.

NEVER FORCE THE ISSUE AND BE GENTLE. Remember, only insert the tip. GENTLY rest the tip of the

thermometer against the rectal wall to get an accurate reading.

The body temperature of a healthy flying-fox is between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius. Falling body

temperature is never good news and this situation must be reversed or the animal will die. Bed rest,

artificial heat and sometimes IP fluids are required to preserve the life of these animals.

Photo: Denise Wade

Netting rescued adult with serious injuries.

Initial recovery was in a Humidicrib due to a

drop in core body temperature.


March 2012 43

Treatment for Shock – Observation, IP Fluids and Bed Rest Be mindful that mild shock can progress very quickly and quietly to death. Monitor all rescued bats for the

first few days to ensure their condition does not deteriorate. It is not unheard of for an animal that has

seemingly recovered from shock to relapse after initial treatment has been discontinued. Check your

rescued bat unobtrusively every hour or so until you are absolutely certain that it is out of danger. If you

detect any deterioration in the bats' condition, especially during the first 24 hours in care, treat for shock.

Animals suffering shock need to be placed in bed and warmed on a monitored heat source as a matter of

priority. The bat may also urgently require fluids warmed to approximately 37 degrees via IP injection. Drip

a small amount of the fluid you are about to administer onto the inside of your wrist. If this fluid feels hot

on your skin, the fluids are far too hot for the bat. Aim for lukewarm but to be accurate, use a

thermometer. Never give cold IP fluids.

Please be aware that deterioration in the bats’ condition can also be as a result of other causes.

Therefore, if you suspect there are problems other than shock, please see a vet as quickly as possible.

Please remember that IP fluids must only be administered by a vet or a vet trained carer.

It is definitely possible to over hydrate an animal with IP fluids and this will also result in a fatal outcome.

Therefore, NEVER exceed the 10% of body weight in IP fluids per day rule. Not all animals will require the

full 10% of body weight in IP fluids – only severely dehydrated bats or animals in descending shock will

need this amount.

Day 1–NO MORE than 10% of body weight in IP fluids. If your patient is severely dehydrated or in

descending shock then you will require 10% of body weight in fluids given via IP injection in one hit. e.g. A

500 gram bat will require 50 ml of warmed IP fluids and a 750 grams bat will require 75 ml of fluid. If NOT

severely dehydrated and not in shock, then provide oral hydration only but monitor carefully for at least

the first 24 hours in care.

Day 2 – 5 % IP fluids if necessary but oral rehydration on day 2 is preferable. If your patient is not

responding by the second day in care, you need to seek veterinary assistance. Please ring your vet or a

rehab co-ordinator if you need help to either administer the fluids or if there is any doubt in your mind as

to the need to IP.

The animal’s condition needs to be frequently checked and although unusual, it may require further IP

fluids during the course of its recovery. Provide heat, rest and oral fluids until the bat is showing positive

visual signs of recovery and check the health of the bat frequently to ensure shock is neither present nor

progressing.

Remember, shock is a silent killer. Please be vigilant and if you have any reservations regarding the health

of your bat, please seek advice from your veterinarian

immediately.

Never hang a flying-fox if you suspect shock as this will

probably kill it. Be compassionate and put the bat to bed

in a quiet, warm spot and monitor closely.


March 2012 44

Steps to Treat Shock Wrap the bat in a towel and lay it head down and on

its back at a 45 degree angle. Ensure that its weight

is fully supported and hook its feet over the side bars

or on the top of the cage. Cover the cage with a

towel or a sheet to help to alleviate stress. If it is a

baby or it is extremely weak, it will require artificial

heat. Be mindful of overheating and always use a

thermometer on the surface of the bed. IP fluids

may need to be administered by your vet or by an

experienced carer. Only carers trained by a

veterinarian are permitted to administer IP fluids.

Never feed or orally hydrate a cold animal. Warmed

IP fluids will aid in raising the body temperature of a

cold bat.

Exposure A bat suffering from exposure will be dehydrated, in

shock and will either be cold or suffering from heat

exhaustion. The treatment for each scenario is

described below.

Cold

Never try to feed or orally hydrate a cold animal. Digestion depends upon core body temperature.

Therefore, a chilled animal will be unable to digest and may die. Treat for shock.

Warm the bat slowly – Take a rectal temperature to assess the core body temperature. Start with

gentle warmth and gradually increase. Heating too quickly can kill the bat.

Dry glucose – If the animal is very flat and is unable to take fluids orally, you can safely place a

generous pinch of dry glucose directly onto the bat’s tongue. This will be absorbed systemically into

the body very quickly, will provide instant energy and will help to kick start the warming process

and reverse the effects of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Where ever possible, use preheated equipment - warm hands, warm wraps and a warmed carry cage.

Cover/wrap with warmed towels and protect from wind chill.

Heat

An animal will die from overheating much faster than it will die from hypothermia. Move the bat into the

shade or provide shade immediately. Place the bat on a damp towel and wipe down regularly with a damp

cloth. Take a rectal temperature to ascertain core body temperature and once back to normal temperature,

offer cool, not cold fluids a little at a time and often. Monitor and be mindful of shock. Never attempt to

rapidly cool an animal by using ice or by submerging the bat in cold water.

Sam Longman cradles a bat from a rescue in backyard netting


March 2012 45

Rehydration A 25% non-citrus fruit juice drink, Hydrolyte

(blackcurrant flavour), Lectade or diluted Ribena cordial

is ideal for hydrating animals off barbed-wire or from

netting rescues. Pure fruit juices contain a large volume

of sugar and will further dehydrate the animal.

1. Only administer when the bat is warm. Slowly

warm the bat if necessary.

2. Warm the fluid to room temperature for an

adult and body temperature for a baby – 37

degrees Celsius.

3. A plastic pipette or syringe is ideal. Use the syringe or pipette to drip the juice onto the bat’s lips

and it will usually start to lap. Aim to administer approximately 10% of the bats body weight in

oral fluids over a 12 hour period for all dehydrated animals. For a severely dehydrated bat IP

injection will be required.

Full and ongoing hydration is essential before medicating the bat. If the bat is accepting oral fluids then

continue on this path. If you suspect shock administer or seek urgent assistance for the animal in your care

as delaying treatment for shock will result in death to the flying-fox. IV fluids are another alternative and

are more effective than IP fluids but these are only available from an experienced wildlife vet or a wildlife

hospital.

IP Fluids IP or Intraperitineal Injection is a method of introducing fluids directly into the bats peritoneal cavity

(abdomen). This procedure is used to rehydrate moderate to severely dehydrated animals and to treat bats

suffering from shock. Shock is the result of a systemic shut down of the circulatory

system and must be urgently addressed in all rescued animals. The best method of reversing descending

shock is via the administration of warmed IP fluids or IV fluids (only accessible from your vet or wildlife

hospital), bed rest and the provision of additional warmth (a bed warmed to approx. 34 degrees or even

better is a humidicrib).

Only carers trained by a veterinarian are permitted to administer IP fluids.

IP injection can be performed on both adults and babies and it can be a lifesaver. If you think the animal in

your care may be suffering from shock and you have neither the equipment nor the training to IP, please

either seek urgent veterinary attention or pass the

animal on to a trained and experienced carer as

quickly as possible. The life of the flying-fox may

depend upon your judgement and speed in delivering

it to a vet or another carer.

We use Sodium Chloride 0.9% with a 25 gauge

butterfly needle to IP and we introduce no more than

10% of the animals' body weight in fluid on any given

day. All fluids must be delivered as close to body

temperature as possible.


March 2012 46

Fluids need to be delivered at approximately 37 degrees and NEVER use cold fluid directly from the fridge.

This procedure must be administered by a veterinarian or a trained carer and it is a simple procedure to

learn which can mean the difference between life and death for a compromised bat.

It is imperative that there is no cross-contamination into your bag of IP fluid. Therefore, if after the initial

dose is administered and the animal still requires more fluid, NEVER reintroduce a used hypodermic into

your Sodium Chloride bag. You must use a fresh butterfly/hypodermic needle for each procedure and

always clean the area to be injected with a Medi-Swab, Chlorhexidine or iodine before proceeding. Clipping

the fur before cleaning the skin is preferable.

Be careful not to touch the needle tip with your fingers. Please remember that you are injecting into a living

creature and sterility is vitally important to ensure the bats health is not further compromised by the

introduction of bacteria. The infection risk may be minimal in healthy animals but an injured bat in shock

will have reduced immune function.

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after all procedures, wear protective surgical gloves and

try where practicable, to keep your treatment area as clean as possible. Safely dispose of used needles in a

sharps container and store your bag of fluid below 30 degrees, preferably in a dark cupboard. Delivering IP

fluids is best performed when you have assistance from another vaccinated carer. One person to hold the

bat securely and the other a vet trained carer, to administer the fluids.

Transportation When transporting a rescued bat, you need to

provide a quiet and secure environment where the

bat is unable to injure itself further. It is important

to secure the cage with a seatbelt so that it doesn't

move around when you are driving. Also, consider

the position of the cage in the car as locating the

cage in the hot sun will further stress the bat.

Therefore, cover the cage with a towel or cloth to

keep the animal as comfortable as possible.

The most appropriate method of transportation

will depend on whether the bat is a baby or an

adult flying-fox and the extent of its injuries. It is

not humane to hang a stressed, tired and injured bat.

Adult Flying-Fox – just rescued and ready to transport Cat carry cages are an ideal size for transporting bats. Using towels or pillows, pad the cage at an angle. It

is preferable to have the bat’s feet holding onto the top of the cage, head down and shoulders supported.

Cover the cage with a towel to provide a dark and quiet refuge for your rescued animal. This will help to

calm the bat and reduce its stress. Sometimes a bat can get its wings or limbs caught between the bars of

your carry cage. Line it with a large T-shirt or towels to prevent this or wrap the bat for travel. A rolled up

towel on either side of the bat will prevent it from rolling around.

If the bat is to be wrapped for transport, be aware that your flying-fox can overheat. If the weather is

warm, please dampen down the towels for the comfort and safety of your patient.

Remember to provide a stable anchor for the bat’s feet as this will give the animal a vital sense of security.

Head down

Towel covering to pacify

Feet up and hooked to coat hanger or a soft cloth pegged in place

Wrapped for Warmth (not too warm)

Lid closed to prevent escape


March 2012 47

Baby Flying-Foxes Reuniting a baby with its mother should be paramount depending on the baby's condition. Consideration

must be given to the overall health and age of the baby before attempting a reunion. To reunite, the baby

must be well hydrated, uninjured and a good weight for forearm. Never attempt to reunite a premature

baby as it will be too weak to hang on to its mother. If the baby is injured, dehydrated, underweight or a

premmie, then it will have to come into care and be raised by an experienced carer. If the baby is in good

shape, then a reunion should be attempted whenever possible especially if the baby was found under a

food tree. There have been many successful reunions with mothers and once you have had one success,

you will try every time no matter the time or distance as humans make a pretty poor substitute mother. To reunite:

Baby must be a good weight for forearm, well hydrated and uninjured

Must be handled as little as possible

Should not be cleaned

Should be left in the cloth it was picked up in and kept warm

Rehydrated with glucose and water only

Should be taken back to rescue location before dusk

Once the mother is heard:

Baby should be placed as high up as possible in the tree for the mother to land safely

The carer is to stand off at distance so the mother is not too frightened to come back and retrieve her

baby

For baby transport:

Baby flying-foxes must be wrapped and placed in a carry cage or rescue basket with suitable padding and

heat. Instruction on how to create a ‘mumma’ roll to replicate the sense of security felt whilst wrapped in

its mother’s wings is provided below.

Mumma

This technique not only simulates the feeling of the mothers wings wrapped around the baby flying-fox but

it also provides the infant with a simulated '„mother' to hold on to. Paint rollers also make for a good

alternative as they are soft, can be washed when soiled and they are a good size too.

Roll a soft face cloth to dimensions of approximately 15 cm in length and 5 cm in diameter.

Place the pup on the mumma face down. The pup will usually wrap its wings around the mumma with one

foot slightly at an angle and the other tucked up underneath it or straight out and hanging onto the wrap.

This is a normal sleeping position.

Position the towels at a 45° angle within a cat carry cage and place the pup and mumma on the towels

face down. Ensure the head is well supported and the mumma will not roll or s lip. Cover the pup with a

warm, natural fibre blanket. A cotton pillow case with an old doona cut to size then sewn into place is

ideal, being light, warm and easily washed. A monitored heat pad of some sort will also be required.


March 2012 48

The blankets should be wrapped firmly enough to contain the pup but not so firmly that the pup cannot get

free should it soil itself or desire to hang.

A large cotton T-shirt placed inside the cage then pulled firmly over the edges of the cage prevents damage

to elbows and thumbs should the baby accidentally poke them through the bars. It also assists in maintaining

a moderate temperature within the cage and helps to keep the baby warm.

The photo to the right shows a two

week old baby happily sucking his

dummy. The baby shown below right is

an unfortunate premature baby that

did not survive.

It is important to recognise the

difference in maturity between these

two babies as premature babies have

special needs and they must to be

rushed to an experience carer if they

are to survive. Premature babies

cannot be reunited as they are too

weak to hang onto their mum and this

may explain why they have been

dropped. It is also possible they could

be the weaker individual of a set of

twins. It is not uncommon for flying-

foxes to have twins but we have little

evidence of both twins surviving to

maturity.

Photo: Paul Wade


March 2012 49

Recording and Reporting Once a bat has been safely rescued, you need to decide whether you have the expertise, time and

equipment to care for the animal. If you need to pass the bat onto another member, please call the rehab co-

ordinator and he/she will find the most suitable person to care for the bat. Do not pass animals onto other

carers without the rehab co-ordinators knowledge.

You should record details relating to your rescue on a Flying-fox/Microbat Report Sheet. Record details

relating to the rescue, the bats condition, its weight and forearm length, injuries, reason for rescue, medications

used and its fate etc. The information you record can be very useful in determining appropriate treatment.

The rescue sheet needs to accompany the bat whenever it is passed onto another carer as it provides a

history of treatment and medications used which can be invaluable if the animal enters long term care.

Hopefully one day we can attract university students to work from our collected data to assist our bats.

Without data we will achieve no ‘big picture’ results – make sure you fill out a rescue sheet.

Some of the details you may observe and record are:

Contact details for the caller (in case a follow-up is required. For instance, if the caller has been

bitten or if further clues are needed to determine location or treatment.

Other contacts needed e.g. property owner for barbed wire.

Location - particularly for microbats as they need to be returned to their home range.

Situation - on the ground, hanging, entangled, dog attack.

Status/demeanour - conscious, aggressive, lethargic, obvious injuries.

What attracted it to be in this situation: e.g. Cocos Palms, natives against barbed wire?

Environment, e.g. weather (current and over last 24 hrs.)

Weights, measurements, sex and species

Veterinary treatment

Outcome- euthanased, released, died or still in care

With your observations and actions at the site of rescue we can help to initiate change, not only in the

attitudes of the public but we may also be able to reduce and limit subsequent catches of bats.

Things you may be able to change could be:

Home owner taking down netting after discussions about alternatives to using drape netting

Replacing the top strand of barbed wire with plain wire. This alone can reduce catch by 80%

Trimming of trees where multiple electrocutions occur

Ensuring a marauding dog or cat is locked up for the night

Measuring and Weighing Techniques Forearm

Use callipers with 1mm precision or a clear plastic ruler. If you have

measured the forearm and found that it is an impossible length,

remeasure. Practice using the callipers on a ruler. It's easy once you get

the knack but it can be a little awkward at first.

To ensure consistency, you should always measure the right forearm as

each forearm can differ slightly in length. The correct measurement is from the outside of the elbow to the

outside of the wrist, whilst the wing is folded.


March 2012 50

Digital Scales

These are the most readily available and the most suitable for accurate measures. They are suitable for

weighing babies, adult flying-foxes and microbats. They are also handy for accurately weighing high protein

supplement before adding it to your fruit.

You will need to wrap the bat in order to weigh it. Put the wrapped bat in a container first, e.g. an ice-cream

container. If the animal struggles, try hooking its feet over the edge of the container.

Most digital scales have a tare function to

allow you to deduct the weight of the

container and towel before weighing the

animal.

Bat Dresses

Bat dresses can be made from a sock or

you can ask for a pattern from the rehab

co-ordinator and make a range of

different sizes for your patients.

Flying-foxes are very clever and we have

seen them enlist the services of an

accomplice to help them to remove their

dress. They can be very clever but also

very naughty!

If you can sew, we would love to have lots

of bat dresses for use by our rehab

members.

Photo: Marg Snowden, Inset Denise Wade


March 2012 51

Care and Rehabilitation of Flying-Foxes

Basic First-aid Principles

Wash your hands

Initial cleaning only of wounds and grazes with 50:50 Betadine and cooled pre boiled water

Apply relevant medication and dressings

Ensure the bat is well hydrated.

Administer oral medications

Wash your hands when finished

Irreparably damaged and the result of cutting the membrane and not the barbed wire. Never cut the membrane unless there is absolutely no alternative.


March 2012 52

ASSESSMENT OF INJURIES All newly rescued bats must be assessed as quickly as possible and without exception. This

means that you are required to perform an initial assessment at the site of the rescue. This

assessment will then determine your next course of action. This is not as difficult as you may think

and observations made during and after a rescue are the first step. It is important that you learn

to assess a bat for injuries. However, if you are not confident handling or assessment please take

your bat to the nearest Wildlife Hospital or experienced carer for assessment and treatment. To

build confidence and to help with assessments, we would like you to take the bats from your first

few rescues to a mentor/experienced rescue/carer. Please call the phone co-ordinator or a rehab

co-ordinator for assistance. An experienced carer may be available in your area at the time to help

you.

If the bat is suffering from a fracture, dislocation, obvious bleeding wounds, palate or extensive

membrane damage, burns, electrocution or shock, then immediate first aid or possibly euthanasia

will be required. If you need help to assess or treat the bat and no experienced carer is available,

then you must present the animal for assessment, treatment or euthanasia to a vet as quickly as

possible. Please do not park the bat in a cage and just leave it. Ring your vet or the phone or rehab

co-ordinator and seek help promptly. First aid and initial care and assessment are the

responsibility of the rescuer. However, assessments should be repeated and treatment continued

or tailored as appropriate by any subsequent carer

who receives the bat. Never assume that a previous

carer has found all of the injuries (or maggots!) or

that the treatment for this particular animal does

not need to be re-evaluated. Rescues are difficult

situations and it is very easy, even for experienced

carers, to miss an injury. Accurate assessment is

particularly important if you are the first person to

handle the bat after the rescue as decisions made at

this point can largely determine the eventual fate of

the bat.

It is important to identify critical injuries early and

to either seek euthanasia or to provide appropriate

treatment, pain relief and first aid. If in doubt,

please call either a vet or the phone or rehab co-ordinators for assistance.

Note: It is a requirement that all bats rescued from netting or barbed wire, be kept in care for at

least 14 days. This is because injuries received in these situations can take some time to appear.

Early release could mean death for a bat that develops severe membrane dieback after release.

The damage you see immediately after rescue will often be far more extensive by day 7 or 8.

Check injuries daily and be on the lookout for deteriorating wounds or further membrane or bone

loss. The treatment plan for your bat may need to be reassessed after a couple of days and it may

need to evolve as new injuries appear.

If the bat in question is a lactating female, then the question of time in care becomes more

difficult. She will have left a baby at the colony and if she is not released within a few days, the

baby will starve to death. However, if you prematurely release the mother and she then

experiences problems with deteriorating wings, both mother and baby will die. Unfortunately, we

Photo: Marg Snowden


March 2012 53

are sometimes forced to keep the mother in care as all too often her injuries prevent her

immediate release. This is never an easy decision but it is the correct one and it will preserve the

life of a breeding female. This seasons baby will die but the mother will live on to have more

babies in the future. In these instances, please consult an experience carer or a rehab co-ordinator

as quickly as possible to discuss a possible recovery and release plan. Photos are excellent

assessment tools for your mentor or rehab coordinator.

Recognising injuries Much can be determined by just observing the bat’s demeanour.

Is it able to hang? Are both legs capable of gripping and supporting the bat’s weight?

Remember that a bat’s knees point backwards.

A flying-fox at rest may be hanging from one leg with the other leg dangling over its

stomach. A tense flying-fox will hang from both legs and ‘draw up’ so that the knees are bent.

Does the bat look symmetrical? Are its wings folded against its sides or is one or both of

them drooping? Flying-foxes at rest wrap their wings around themselves therefore

masking any injuries. Injuries may show as drooping or difficulty in re-wrapping wings.

Is it crying? This may indicate a young or juvenile bat. Note that most wild animals do not

generally make a noise when in pain. They try to hide any disability – this is a survival

mechanism.

Is there blood showing anywhere? Are the faeces dark, suggesting ingested blood, possible

internal injuries or mouth damage? If actively bleeding, find the source of the bleeding and

apply pressure until blood flow ceases or slows.

Is the fur smooth and clean? Matted fur can indicate injury (e.g. from blood) or incapacity.

Bats are normally very clean animals.

Are its eyes bright and does it respond to sound or movement?

Does it have obvious burns or white marks on its feet or wings? Can you smell burnt fur?

Are fingers fused, is membrane hard or does it have a charred appearance? The bat may

have been electrocuted.

Is there blood in the urine? This can indicate injury to the bladder or damage to the

kidneys as a result of trauma, dehydration or heat stress.

It is also worth considering how the bat ended up requiring rescue. Some situations may be

obvious e.g. caught in netting, but others are less obvious. Flying-foxes do not voluntarily land or

remain on the ground unless they are severely injured or desperately unwell. Visually scan the

rescue site and attempt to determine the reason for the rescue. This will help you to not only

decide on a treatment plan but it will also assist you in assessing viability. E.g. has the bat been the

victim of a non-fatal electrocution?

You need to know how to assess a bat for

injuries and the first thing is - DON’T be

frightened! Wear gloves, grab a towel, grasp

the head and bundle the rest of the bat into the

towel. Use two towels if the bat is aggressive.

Carefully peel the feet off their perch one by

one. Only by a thorough assessment will you

find injuries such as the fine finger bone breaks

as seen here.


March 2012 54

Pain Management

ANY INJURY THAT CAUSES YOU PAIN WILL INFLICT THE SAME DEGREE OF PAIN ONTO A FLYING-FOX OR MICROBAT. BATS MAY NOT DISPLAY PAIN AND DISCOMFORT IN THE SAME MANNER THAT WE DO BUT IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT THEY SUFFER ANY LESS. PLEASE BE COMPASSIONATE AND ADDRESS PAIN AND THE CAUSE OF THAT PAIN PROMPTLY.

All injuries cause pain. Burns can be incredibly painful and to a lesser degree, fractures and

wounds. Animals suffering pain will not thrive. Pain will inhibit healing, feeding and recovery. Any

animal in severe, constant, untreatable pain needs to be euthanased. Please seek immediate

advice from a vet if you are unsure. Wild animals are programmed to hide pain and disability and

pain can be sometimes confused with fear responses. In the wild, a predator will seek out any

animal crying out or displaying signs of weakness as they recognise an easy meal. Therefore, don't

assume that a flying-fox is not suffering just because it isn't whimpering or crying. Look for physical

signs.

Bats suffering pain will present with:

Body trembling or shaking

Lack of appetite

Noticeable pain reaction when an affected

area is touched, scrunched up body and glazed

or half closed eyes

Constant vocalization or screaming – in flying-

foxes this can indicate extreme pain but it can

also indicate fear.

Please refer to pain relief medication tables in

this manual or discuss with a vet, rehab co-

ordinator or an experienced carer accurate dose rates and the relevant pain medication

required for each particular situation.

If your rescued flying-fox is badly injured and is assessed as unviable, please administer a liberal

dose of Painstop on site. Offer food and juice to sooth the animal, wrap the bat securely in towels

and seek euthanasia urgently.

Holding and Assessing a Flying-Fox To conduct a reasonable assessment, you will first need to capture the bat. The best method

depends on the type of bat and the situation but a general approach for flying-foxes is explained

below.

1. It is advisable to wear a long-sleeved, sturdy shirt and leather gloves to avoid being

bitten or scratched and be methodical and careful in your assessment. Remember, wild

animals are sometimes unpredictable in their behaviour. As the bat will need to be

weighed, now is the time to place the towel you will be using to contain the bat for

assessment into a container and weigh these two items. Tare your scales to zero.

2. Approach quietly, talk gently and act confidently. Using the same towel you just

weighed, firmly grasp the bat around the back of the neck and quickly enfold its wings

and body in the towel. Wrap firmly and place in the container on the scales which should

be displaying a zero weight. Wait for the readout to stabilise and then record the weight

onto your rescue sheet. You now have an accurate weight and can medicate safely.

Photo Denise Wade


March 2012 55

3. Place the wrapped bat onto your lap with its feet facing your chest and hook its feet onto

your shirt. It is important that the bats feet have something to grip and hang on to or the

animal may scratch you as it tries to gain purchase and find an anchor. Make sure that

you have all of your medications and lotions within easy reach.

4. Offer the bat a piece of soft fruit on a skewer or on the end of a pipette. This will distract

it for a while and keep its mouth busy.

5. Firmly control its head at all times. If you lose your grip on the bats head, quickly wrap

and start again. It is sometimes useful to have a couple of towels spread out on your lap

in case the bat wriggles out of the one it is wrapped in. You then have extra towels on

hand to help you restrain the bat.

6. Carefully expose one side of the bat at a time and examine the wings and body. Always

extend the wing from the wrist and never pull the wing out by holding onto a finger. This

will prevent the fine finger bones from dislocating or fracturing.

7. If the bat is not reasonably calm, two people may be needed to safely restrain the animal.

If you do not feel confident examining the bat, take the bat to an experienced carer to

help you until you are able to do this yourself. Flying-foxes are not easy animals to

examine and even injured ones can be extremely agile or even aggressive when

frightened or injured. Wear gloves and be careful.

8. Take your time, speak quietly to the bat and try to exclude loud noises which will add to

the animal’s distress. Take the phone off the hook, put the dog away and endeavour to

keep the whole environment quiet and peaceful. Give the bat lots of juice and soft fruit.

All of these things will help keep the bat relaxed and quiet. Never rush an assessment.

Record injuries accurately on your rescue sheet as you go. There may well be more than

one injury present so do a thorough examination of the whole animal.

WARNING – Many of our photos show bare handed assessments but remember that these handlers are experienced carers who know how to read the particular flying-fox in their care. Please be advised that Bat Conservation and Rescue Qld. advocate the wearing of gloves and protective clothing for all carers. If you choose not to wear gloves, you do so at your own risk. Sit with the flying-fox on your lap, wrapped in a towel Firmly grasp the back of the bats neck with one hand and maintain a firm but not

strangling grip.

Anchor the feet onto your shirt or jeans and with your free hand examine the body and

wings.

Check all wing bones and membrane and look for any

anomalies.

Run your fingers down the ribs and the entire length of the

body feeling for irregularities.

o Swap hands and whilst holding the head firmly,

check the other side of the body and wings.

Ensure the feet and toes are working satisfactorily.

Keep body parts that are not being assessed, well wrapped.

Hold wings by the wrist and never pull on fine finger bones.

Photo: J&M Janssens


March 2012 56

Check the wings and thumbs

Hold the bat as described above.

Gently extend each wing - Do not pull the wing from the edge or tip as finger bones are

fragile and can easily break or dislocate when the bat struggles.

Expose one wing and pull it away from the body. Gently fan the wing from the wrist. Feel

along the bones for any fractures.

Look for and note any swelling, holes, breaks, dislocations, inflammation or abrasions

on both wing surfaces.

The wings should feel soft and supple. A dry papery feel can indicate dehydration or even

electrocution. Look for electrocution lines, hard rigid membrane, bruising, blisters and burns or

you may smell burnt skin and fur. Check the thumbs for breaks, dislocation, tears or swelling.

Examine the body and head Gently feel along the body with your fingertips. Feel for punctures, broken ribs, lumps,

pregnancy etc.

Look for puncture wounds, particularly around the chest, the back of the neck and where the

wing membranes meet the body.

Gently squeeze a nipple to check for lactation. Check carefully for maggots or fly eggs. Eggs

will appear as a white or cream cluster of dots or clumps on fur or membrane.

Check membrane for bruising. Hold membrane up to a light source and bruising will appear as

red or dark blotches. Bruising is very common following barbed wire and netting entrapment.

To examine the mouth, insert a plastic pipette into the side of the mouth. Check for broken or

worn teeth, damage to the palate and burns which may show as red inflammation or white

areas depending on the severity and depth of the burn.

Examine legs and toes

• Check for breaks in the leg bones by running your fingers along the

bones and look for swelling.

Examine the feet and toes. Broken toes are not uncommon and can

be treated. Open toe fractures must be seen promptly by a vet and

the affected toes will need to be amputated. Bats can be released

with amputated or missing toes. A white line on the pads of the feet

indicates electrocution. Check for injuries on thumbs. Flying-foxes can

sometimes still be considered releasable following the loss of one

thumb but the loss of both thumbs is not a viable injury.

Photo: Helen Gormley


March 2012 57

Injuries and Their Treatment

Injuries It is important that carers do not overestimate their diagnostic and treatment skills and consult a

veterinarian if in any doubt regarding the health, injury or treatment of an animal in their care.

Hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and water before and after treatment of any

wounds. In fact, before and after handling any bats, babies or adults.

Bed Rest If you can mentally change places for a few minutes and put yourself in the same position as the

bat you have just rescued, consider how you would be feeling. Imagine being impaled on a barbed

wire fence frying in the sun, being hit by a car, electrocuted or attacked by a dog. You would be

feeling stressed, exhausted and in pain and would probably head straight for your bed. Our

rescued patients don't have that option unless we provide it. We therefore need to consider their

physical state and put them to bed when necessary. If the bat is cold to the touch or suffering

shock, you will need to provide a well wrapped heat pad for the animal to lie on. Always include

several layers of towelling between the bat and the heat source to prevent burns and be mindful

of overheating. We don't want to cook the animal but warm it slowly and keep it at a comfortable

temperature. Heat stress will quickly kill a flying-fox so be careful and monitor the temperature of

the surface the bat is lying on.

Occasions where rescued animals should be put to bed include any animal found on or hanging

near the ground, concussion, shock, severe malnutrition and dehydration, broken bones,

exhaustion, paralysis, suspected electrocution, dog attacks and any injury that renders the bat

incapable of hanging.

JUST BECAUSE A FLYING-FOX CAN HANG, DOESN’T MEAN IT SHOULD. You can do no harm by

enforcing bed rest even if it is only for a few hours.

You will need to keep your patient clean and comfortable and to provide limited, supervised

access to the sun whilst it is in bed to minimise problems with fungal infections and to keep

morale high. Bats are fastidiously clean animals by nature but they sometimes require assistance

to maintain normal hygiene standards if they are not well enough to do the job themselves. Please

clean and dry wing pits daily and attend to hygiene as required. Do not put an animal with damp

wings back to bed after cleaning. Always ensure that the wings, especially the inside surfaces, are

dry. Damp wings are a recipe for fungal infections.

Assessing the core body temperature of a flying fox The only accurate method of assessing core body temperature in a flying-fox is to take a rectal

temperature. Please refer to the section on ‘Shock’ in ‘Emergency Treatment’ on page 42 for a

more detailed account of this simple but life saving procedure.

Antibiotics and Pain Even if no infection is obvious or apparent, it is imperative that all animals suffering wounds, burns

or open fractures be given a 7 to 10 day course of antibiotics as prescribed by your vet. Longer

courses of antibiotics are sometimes required and you will need to consult your veterinarian if

these are indicated.

Photo L

Saunders


March 2012 58

Antibiotics are usually prescribed if the animal has come off barbed-wire or out of netting.

Generally, Amoxyclav, Noroclav, Clavulox (50mg tablets) or Clavulox Palatable Drops are well

tolerated and are suitable antibiotics to use on adult and baby bats as prescribed by your vet.

For pain relief, Children's Panadol is suitable for both baby flying-foxes under 300 grams and also

for use in adults with minor pain. Children's Daytime Painstop is used for adult flying-foxes with

more severe pain. It can be used for babies but only under veterinary supervision. Painstop

contains both paracetamol and codeine. Aspro Clear is particularly useful for pain and swelling in

adult bats rescued from netting and barbed wire. See Medication notes for dose rates in Section 4

at the end of this manual.

N.B.: Do not use Aspro Clear if internal bleeding is suspected or indicated, the animal has bleeding

wounds, has dental injuries especially where teeth have been removed or knocked out or if the

bat requires surgery. Aspro Clear is an anti-coagulant and will stop blood from clotting. Aspro Clear

must not be used in conjunction with Metacam or late in pregnancy and it must be given with food

to fully hydrated animals only.

Shock Please refer to ‘Initial Assessment and First Aid' for a more detailed explanation on recognising

and treating shock.

All rescued animals will be suffering from varying degrees of shock. Please ensure that all bats are

well hydrated (oral hydration is preferable but if this is not possible, then the bat must be given IP

fluids promptly), warmed, rested in bed, relieved of pain after being fully hydrated and given a

course of antibiotics as prescribed by your vet if required. Shock will manifest itself as a quiet,

placid, unresponsive animal, a drop in core body temperature, a fixated vacant stare and a lack of

response by the pupils to light, general body weakness and pale mucous membranes.

Any animal found on the ground must be treated for shock urgently

and not allowed to hang. Hypovolemic shock can and will progress quickly and quietly to death if measures are not

undertaken to arrest the situation. Therefore, please ensure all rescued bats are monitored closely

for the first few days in care for signs of shock and are treated accordingly.

Wrap the animal in a towel and lay head down and on its back at a 45 degree angle.

Ensure that its weight is fully supported and hook its feet to the side bars of the cage.

Cover the cage with a light weight cloth.

Place in a quiet, warm room and position on a well wrapped and monitored heat pad.

Offer fluids orally by syringe every hour until the bat is hanging and feeding by itself.

If the bat is unable to be hydrated orally then it will need to receive warmed I.P. fluids.

All flying-foxes can be given glucose and water as a first feed. Adults can be given fruit

juice and water until rehydrated. They may need to be hand fed from a syringe.

Broken Bones Young bats recover well from complete simple fractures. Pinning of open fractures has not been

successful in the past. However, we have heard of recent work by some of the Wildlife Hospitals

where pinning has been successful and bats have been released back to the wild. There are many

considerations before pinning is undertaken and these decisions need to be made by the vets at

the RSPCA, Currumbin or Australian Wildlife Hospitals. The site, condition and age of the break will


March 2012 59

be the deciding factors for success. Speed in

delivering the bat to a wildlife hospital is critical. If

the fracture is successfully pinned there is also a

considerable investment of time required by the

rehabber to perform physio exercises and all of

these things must be taken into account before

deciding to pin.

Incomplete or greenstick fractures are easily treated

with the use of bat dresses, time, physiotherapy and

rest. All breaks must be assessed and treated under

the direction of a veterinarian who will x-ray and

examine the injury and then prescribe appropriate

medication. Breaks in adult flying-foxes are more

problematic and issues to be considered include: -

location of the break, duration in care (possibly 6-8

months), carer time due to long term physio

treatment, age of the bat and the temperament of the animal. Fractured fingers and toes can

heal well enough for the bat to be released. Simple complete fractures of major bones,

depending on the location of the break and the age of the bat, may be recoverable with the

correct treatment.

Assessment and treatment by a vet is required for all broken bones.

Please provide pain relief before leaving the rescue site if euthanasia is not immediately available.

Pack towels around the injured wing to prevent movement and place the well wrapped bat into a

secure bed. Never hang an animal with fractures.

Barbed-wire Injuries – Finger and Membrane Damage Probably the most graphic and cruel injuries belong in this

category. Barbed wire is a very versatile wound inducing

hazard and the resultant injuries can be many and varied to

just about any part of the body.

ALL BATS RESCUED OFF BARBED WIRE MUST BE GIVEN A 7

TO 10 DAY COURSE OF ANTIBIOTICS AS PRESCRIBED BY

YOUR VET. PAIN RELIEF WILL BE REQUIRED FOR MOST

ANIMALS OFF BARBED WIRE. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR

SIGNS OF SHOCK AND DEHYDRATION AND TREAT

PROMPTLY.

The most common injuries are membrane, palate and bone related. The lucky recipients of an

encounter with a barbed wire fence will sustain nothing more serious than a few assorted holes in

their wings, although damage this minor is rare. These injuries may still require antibiotic coverage

as assessed by your vet. Bruising can create large holes and membrane may dieback to a certain

extent before healing begins and the holes shrink in size until they disappear. Even large holes in

membrane will ultimately heal, given time in care.

To help minimise membrane contracture during their time in care, flying-foxes need room to

exercise and they must have room to fly if they are able. Therefore, after initial treatment has


March 2012 60

concluded, please ensure all flying-foxes are sent to members who have approved long term

rehab facilities. This will give your rescued animal the best chance at rehabilitation and release.

It is quite common for bats off barbed wire to lose fingertips. Long term viability will depend upon

the extent of the loss and the bats ability to compensate for the loss. Generally, bats are

releasable with the loss of the last phalange on any finger but any loss greater than this will need

to be discussed with an experienced carer or the rehab co-ordinator. Scrapes and missing

membrane on finger bones close to the wrist need to be carefully protected, for if the bone dies

past the first joint on the second phalange, recovery of the bat becomes more difficult.

Membrane damage can be relatively minor or it can be enough to condemn a bat to the unviable

category. To try and minimise membrane dieback in animals off barbed wire, we are now giving

bats Aspro Clear as soon as they enter care. The hope is that aspirin will help to keep the tiny

capillaries in the damaged membrane viable and alive. Do not give Aspro Clear if there is

suspected internal or actual bleeding, during late term pregnancy, dental extractions or if the bat

requires surgery. The bat must be fully hydrated before administering Aspro Clear. Please refer to

the medication section for accurate dose rates and advice on using Aspro Clear. Please consult an

experienced carer BEFORE euthanasing any bat with membrane damage or missing fingertips.

Spray bandage is useful for minor bone scrapes and wounds. Clean the target area thoroughly, pat

dry and ensure that the bats eyes and face are protected from the spray. Never apply over existing

infection.

Over time the puckering and scar tissue will iron out, membrane will regrow and the wing will

hopefully regain flight ability. Membrane does regrow but this can take a considerable amount of

time to achieve and sometimes it does not regrow to its original form.

Unfortunately, as membrane regrows, it often

contracts and this contracture distorts the

aerodynamics and shape of the wing. If we

factor in contracture and membrane loss along

with the added complication of bone loss, it can

be a long time before these bats are releasable.

Some bats will never fly again even though

much of the missing membrane has been

restored. It is possible to predict to a point

which bats will fly and which ones need to be

euthanased immediately but please leave that

decision to an experienced rehabber.

Along with antibiotics, most bats with

membrane damage will benefit from a twice

daily dose of Aspro Clear. Do not allow a vet to

stitch holes or tears in membrane, as there is

simply no point and it may cause even further

dieback. These injuries will heal by themselves

and they require no surgical intervention.

Unviable injuries to membrane and

fingertips Photos: Louise Saunders


March 2012 61

Photo 1 above is an example of a healthy undamaged wing and photo 2 below is of a healed wing

following barbed-wire entanglement. Photo 2 is not a viable or releasable injury. Note the

contracture and overall diminished area of membrane. Although totally healed after one year in

care, this wing will never sustain flight and an injury such as this can never be deemed releasable.

The membrane had sustained too much damage and the overall membrane loss was far too great.

Elbow to lower edge

13cmm

Distance from finger 5 to

foot is 38cm

Full stretch of

membrane 12cm

Distance from elbow

to lower edge 7.5 cm

Photo: Corrine Lendon

Photos: Louise Saunders


March 2012 62

Burns The severity of burns must be discussed with a vet as most flying-foxes showing signs of non-fatal

electrocution will have irreversible organ damage or serious burns. This is a very painful condition

and prolonging suffering in this instance is to be avoided. If determined that the burns are superficial

and viable, antibiotics as prescribed by your vet, pain relief and additional fluids must be given.

Please be aware that most electrocuted animals will need to be compassionately euthanased quickly.

As burns result in increased fluid and electrolyte loss from the body, an increase in hydration and

nutrition is required. Aggressive rehydration prevents later problems with kidney damage. There are

increased metabolic requirements for animals with burns and this can be up to three times the

normal maintenance requirement. Therefore, give smoothies and add Wombaroo high protein

supplement on fruit to boost nutrition and promote healing. Nutrigel which is available from your vet

is also a good choice for debilitated bats and they love the taste.

Body and limbs Burns are most commonly seen on the young of electrocuted mothers but of course it's possible for

adults to sustain nonfatal burns. Burns can be extremely painful and adequate pain relief must be

given. Following an assessment from your vet, burns should be initially (gently) cleaned thoroughly

with saline, gently dried, then covered with Flamazine and the bat prevented from licking the cream

with the use of an e-collar or a bat dress. Daily cleaning with saline and regular fresh applications of

Flamazine is required. While the wound is moist, continue to watch for infection and maintain

antibiotic coverage. If bone remains exposed at the wing tip, amputation may be required as the

bone will die. Most bats will learn to fly with this disability. Before tending any burns it is vitally

important to firstly ensure the bat has viable injuries and if treatment is to be given, ensure there is

no cross contamination between wounds or medications. Therefore, only use applicators or cleaning

pads once and then discard. Always protect burns from fly strike.

Mouths Burns may also appear as blisters in the mouth of babies. These usually

heal quickly. Burns can also present as red or white lesions and these

areas will be painful especially when the bat is eating. Soft fruit and

smoothies should be provided until healing is complete. Manuka

Wound Gel will help to heal and soothe pain for abrasions and burns

around the muzzle. A small amount of Xylocaine can be applied

sparingly inside the mouth with a cotton bud to ease the pain.

Antibiotics may be required as prescribed by your vet.

Photo: Denise Wade, severe pain around face due to netting abrasion

Membrane If areas of membrane have been burnt or have gone ‘crispy' this is a strong indication of electrocution.

There are usually burns to other areas of the body and you will probably smell burnt flesh and fur.

Please seek immediate assistance for these animals as they will require euthanasia. Electric fences

can also inflict burns and the extent and severity of these injuries need to be assessed by a vet.

If the burns are viable, the charred areas will die regardless of treatment, as the membrane has been

irreparably damaged. Do not use macadamia oil on fresh burns, as the application of oil will trap heat

and allow the burning process to continue. Burns should be flushed and cooled initially with a weak

saline solution. Any dry areas will eventually die back and the wing membrane will hopefully repair.

The bat will need antibiotics and pain relief as prescribed by your vet.


March 2012 63

Broken, Missing or Worn Teeth If a bat comes into care with a good weight for forearm, then a lack of

teeth is not a reason on its own to euthanase. If however, an animal

arrives into care in poor condition and is severely underweight, then

consideration needs to be given to the animal’s future. This obviously

excludes animals caught for extended periods in netting, barbed wire or

any rescue situation that prevents the bat from feeding. Occasionally,

flying-foxes enter care for no other reason than poor body condition.

This is a strong indicator that this animal is not coping in the wild and its future needs

careful consideration. Please consult an experienced carer or a rehab co-ordinator to

discuss viability especially if the animal is very old and is obviously not doing well. It is

cruel and unethical to return an animal such as this back into the wild to die slowly

and painfully of starvation.

If the animal has loose teeth, then this will need to be seen to and the problem teeth

removed by a vet. Broken teeth will have sharp edges that can cut gums and can cause

abrasions to delicate oral membrane and this will hinder feeding and long term survival. These

animals will need to be treated by a veterinarian before they are released.

Bruising Bats that have been caught in netting, barbed wire, or any

animals suffering physical trauma or found on the ground,

should NEVER be released immediately. It can take many days

for swelling and bruising to appear. This damage can later lead

to an inability to fly or loss of membrane and the ultimate

starvation of a bat in the wild. In care, these bats can be fed

until they are well enough to manage normal flight again. A

net-caught or barbed wire bat needs to remain in care under

observation for a minimum of 14 days, even if there are no

visible signs of injury. Bruising on wing membrane can usually

be seen if the wing is stretched out and held up to the light.

The bruised areas will appear as angry red patches. If bruising

is detected, gently massage Hirudoid cream into the

membrane daily until the discolouration disappears. Please

treat bruised membrane gently. With the use of Aspro Clear,

blood supply to tiny capillaries is maintained thus helping to avoid extensive dieback of membrane

and allowing many more bats to be rehabilitated and released. Used correctly, Aspro Clear has

become the wonder drug for netting and barbed wire injured flying-foxes.

Concussion

Concussion often occurs when a bat hits an immoveable object such as a tree, car or wall. Some

concussions occur during the mating season when large male flying-foxes fall whilst mating.

Microbats can also suffer from concussion and the treatment for both mega and microbat is the

same.

A concussed bat may appear depressed, disoriented and recumbent and it may have reduced or

absent pupil response to light. It may also present with asymmetrical pupils or rapid horizontal or

vertical movement of the eyes. You may see some, all or none of the above.

Photo: Marg Snowden


March 2012 64

If you suspect concussion, put the bat to bed and be mindful of shock. Be cautious if administering IP

or subcut fluids as excess fluid can result in an increase in central nervous system swelling and the

subsequent worsening of clinical signs. Oral fluids are fine if the bat will take them. See your vet if in

doubt.

Please place the bat in a quiet spot and allow it to rest. A flying-fox will require bed rest and this is

best achieved by lining a cat carry cage with towels. Place the bat on its back on the towels with its

head slightly lower than its body and with its feet hooked over the bars on the end of the cage.

Cover the cage with a cloth and place the cage in a quiet location away from children, pets and

household noise. Provide oral fluids and smoothie. The bat will also need a nappy to keep its

nether regions clean and comfortable. Fold 5 or 6 tissues in half and place between the legs of the

bat. Change frequently. The bat will let you know when it is feeling better by hanging from the top

of the cat cage. The animal may be then ready to be moved to a rehab cage to continue with its

recovery. Continue to monitor closely. It will need to be kept in care for at least a fortnight after it

has recovered from its concussion to ensure that there is no relapse.

If there are no obvious injuries and you can see blood or clear fluid leaking from the mouth, nostrils

or ears, the animal may be suffering from a fractured skull. Please take the animal to a vet urgently

for assessment. Hairline skull fractures will heal but please leave the decision to a vet. If the animal is

viable, treat for shock.

Dehydration Most bats rescued off barbed wire and netting will be dehydrated.

Animals trapped for extended periods especially in the warmer

months, will be dehydrated and sometimes unable to take fluids orally.

Oral hydration is always preferable but if the bat is unable to take

fluids orally, it will require fluids via IP injection.

Please ensure that all animals are well hydrated before administering any drugs. Look for sunken dry

eyes, pale mucus membranes, lethargy, dry mouth, rapid shallow breathing, skin tenting and thirst or

in the case of extreme dehydration, an inability to drink. Rehydrate with glucose and water, Lectade,

Hydrolyte (blackcurrant flavour) or fruit juice drinks (not pure fruit juice – it must be diluted or you

can buy tetra packs of 25% juice). Rehydrate babies with glucose and water only before giving any

milk feeds. You must ensure that all animals are warm before giving fluids.

Please be aware that bats in shock will have decreased body temperatures. Therefore, warmed fluids

should be given to these animals. Take the bats temperature first to ascertain whether warmed fluids

are required.

1. Only administer fluids when the bat is warm. Warm the bat

if necessary.

2. All fluids should be given at room temperature and never

chilled. When giving fluids to a baby, please ensure they are

warmed to approximately 37 degrees C.

3. Put the fluid into a syringe or pipette and drip it onto the

bat's lips – it will start to lap.

On-going oral hydration will be required. If the bat is unable to take

fluids orally, it will need to receive fluids via I.P. injection.


March 2012 65

Assessing the level of dehydration 0 – 5% - At 5% the signs of dehydration will become apparent. The bat will be very thirsty with dull

eyes and fatigue.

5 – 9% - Minor skin tenting and sunken eyes will be seen. The bat may be extremely thirsty at the

upper end of this range but it may be unable to drink or it may vomit fluids back up.

9 – 12% - Large skin tenting which does not disappear after being pinched. The animal will be

depressed, cold to the touch, have very sunken eyes, rapid shallow breathing and a dry, tacky mouth

and mucus membranes.

12 – 15% - The bat will display signs of severe shock and some or all of the symptoms listed above.

Death is imminent at the 15% level and bats will not usually recover from this degree of dehydration.

Oral Rehydration Adult and Juvenile bats

The easiest and most palatable way to

rehydrate a mild to moderately

dehydrated adult or juvenile bat is by

giving it a 25 -35% fruit juice drink.

If you only have pure juice, then you must dilute it with water. You can also give glucose and water

but juice is usually preferred by the bat. Do not give citrus juice. Apple and mango juice, Hydrolyte,

Lectade, Ribena or blackcurrant juice is seldom refused. Fluids should only be administered orally

when the bat is warm and alert. If the animal is unable to drink by itself, then you must give IP fluids

quickly. If you are not vet trained to do this, please seek assistance quickly for this is a critical

situation that must be addressed urgently. If the bat is drinking well, let it consume as much fluid as it

will take. If the flying-fox is urinating regularly and copiously, then it is receiving enough fluids.

Baby flying-foxes

Give only glucose and water as a first drink to baby flying-foxes. Please ensure that the baby is warm

and alert before attempting to hydrate. Use a teat with a small hole so the baby doesn't choke. If the

baby is too weak to take fluids orally then it will require fluids via IP injection. Please seek assistance

urgently if you are not vet trained to do this yourself.

Photo: Rachael McIntosh

Photo: Marg Snowden


March 2012 66

Dislocations Dislocations are treatable but can impact upon flight ability even when the bat has recovered. Never

allow an animal with a dislocation to hang during transport. Immobilise the limb by wrapping the bat

in a towel and transport immediately to an experienced vet. The vet will then relocate the dislocation

whilst the bat is under a general anaesthetic. Do not attempt to relocate the dislocation yourself as

you can cause further damage and inflict more pain on the bat. Never lay the bat on its injured side.

Dislocations will need support for several weeks to ensure the joint remains stable. Pain relief/ anti-

inflammatory medication will be required as directed by your vet.

Electrocution Adults

Mercifully, electrocution is usually fatal as an enormous charge

passes through the bat’s body when two lines are breached.

However, some unfortunate individuals do survive the initial event.

Victims of electrocution generally suffer severe burns, internal

organ damage and they require urgent euthanasia. Electrocuted

survivors often self-mutilate and generally present with obvious

burns, crispy wing membrane, burnt fur, fused fingers and internal

damage which is impossible to gauge.

Pacify the bat with juice, some soft fruit such as ripe banana and seek immediate veterinary

advice and assessment for these unfortunate bats to minimise suffering. If you cannot

access immediate help from a vet please call the phone co-ordinator who will find you the

closest euthanasia.

Babies

Babies on electrocuted mothers often survive unscathed. They may have burns to their mouths or

wing tips and they usually require additional fluids. These babies will need to go to an experienced

carer to be treated. (See also page 35)

Exposed Bones Exposed bones are very common with barbed wire and net-caught

bats. The chances of recovery from this injury depend entirely upon

the location and severity of the damage.

Bats make full recoveries to flight and release following treatment

for exposed bones. If fingertips have been degloved, the bone will

die and this dead bone will have to be trimmed off at some point. Do not attempt to do this yourself

– seek assistance from a vet. Viability depends upon the amount of bone lost and the bat’s ability to

compensate for this loss will determine its suitability for release.

If there is exposed bone on other parts of the body, care must be taken to ensure that infection

is avoided and the injury is covered and kept moist. We have had great success using Flamazine

and dressings such as Opsite Flexifix (or a similar dressing) to cover wounds. This dressing must be

changed at least every second day and the wound gently rinsed with saline. Thoroughly dry and

reapply Flamazine, a non stick dressing and a fresh Opsite dressing. Please use antibiotics for all

animals with exposed bone as prescribed by your vet. This simple treatment works well for most

bats. However, there is always the odd one who insists on removing the dressing themselves. In this

instance you may need to use a bat dress or Elizabethan collar to discourage an overzealous patient.


March 2012 67

Exposure A bat suffering from exposure will be dehydrated, suffering shock and will either be cold or suffering

from heat exposure. The body temperature of a healthy flying-fox is 37-39 degrees C. The treatment

for each case is described below followed by details on rehydration.

Cold

1. Never try to feed or orally rehydrate a cold animal. Digestion depends on temperature;

therefore a chilled animal will be unable to digest and may die.

2. Warm slowly - start with gentle warmth and gradually increase. Heating too quickly can harm

the bat.

3. Administer warmed IP fluids if required.

Wherever possible have your equipment pre-heated – warm hands, warm wraps and a warmed carry

cage (for a baby flying-fox).

Heat

An animal will die from overheating faster than from cold.

Be careful when cooling the bat as overcooling can result in hypothermia and shock. This change can

occur rapidly. Therefore, monitor the animals' temperature carefully and stop cooling once the

temperature reaches 36-38 degrees C.

1. Move the bat into the shade or provide shade

2. Place on a damp towel. If extremely stressed, wrap in a wet

towel and keep wetting it.

3. When back to a normal temperature, begin rehydration.

4. Offer cool, not cold, fluids a little at a time but often.

Holes and tears in Membrane Many holes or tears will repair naturally. A 3 cm hole will heal in 28

days. Holes and tears do not need to be stitched as they will self

heal. The stitching of holes in membrane is not to be attempted as it

will result in further dieback of membrane.

If blood vessels are swollen use Hirudoid cream on the affected area sparingly. Apply a small amount

and gently massage into the area. Remember your hygiene – wash your hands before and after

treatments. Wear disposable surgical gloves.

Do not use tea tree oil, ‘Wet Ones’ or

eucalyptus oil as they will dry out and

damage the delicate membrane. If you need

to use Betadine to treat an infection it must

be diluted 50:50.Be very careful about how

you apply any of these substances to the

wing membrane. You need to be very

gentle.

Please discuss viability with an experienced

bat carer before euthanasing a flying-fox

with membrane damage.

Photo: M&J Janssens


March 2012 68

Inflammation and Swelling Inflammation may arise from being net-

caught or from a collision, particularly in

the case of microbats. It can also result

from infection or from a fractured

bone. It is important to ascertain

whether the swelling is caused by a bacterial infection or it is inflammation as a result of trauma.

Inflammation in a wrist or elbow is serious as it will inhibit the bat’s ability to fly.

Inflammation and associated pain can effectively be treated with Metacam OR Aspro Clear.

Metacam is an effective pain reliever and is used for muscle or joint pain. It has more anti-

inflammatory properties than Aspro Clear but it also has more side effects. Please use only as

directed by your vet.

Only use these medications after the bat has been fully hydrated and there are no signs of bleeding

or head injury and do not use late in pregnancy. Aspro clear is an effective alternative to Metacam

for some injuries and can be successfully used to treat inflammation and swelling particularly in net

caught bats. Do not use if the bat requires surgery. Never administer Metacam whilst using Aspro

Clear.

In the case of infection, antibiotics will also be required. Generally, Clavulox, Amoxyclav and Noroclav

are suitable antibiotics for use on bats as directed by your vet. As bats are very receptive to accepting

juice from a pipette, giving medications mixed with a small amount of juice is the easiest way to

administer most medications.

Netting Injuries Scraped finger bones, wrist swelling and membrane loss are very common injuries with net caught

bats. Scraped finger bones are often seen and the animal may need to be put onto a course of

antibiotics as prescribed by your vet and the bone kept moist. If the injury is very minor and the area

of scraped bone is not large, then initial cleaning with 50/50 Betadine, a course of antibiotics and the

application of spray bandage will usually be all the treatment that is required. Before using spray

bandage you must ensure that the wound is clean and dry. Never apply spray bandage over existing

infection and protect the animals face and eyes from overspray.

If the area of exposed bone is more extensive, you may need a dressing such as Opsite Flexifix to

achieve membrane coverage on the bone. Bathe gently initially with diluted Betadine, pat dry, apply

a small amount of Flamazine and cover with Opsite. These dressings must be changed at least every

second day. For subsequent wound dressing, gently

clean with saline, pat dry and reapply the dressing.

Bat dresses are also a useful tool to stop bats licking

wounds such as this.

To help with pain management, assist with swelling

and address the issue of blood clots associated with

prolonged constriction entrapment, we often use

Aspro Clear, 300 mg tablets. Never use Aspro Clear

in conjunction with Metacam or any other non-

Photo: Marg Snowden

Photo: Denise Wade


March 2012 69

steroidal anti-inflammatory medication and always administer with food to a well hydrated bat. Do

not use if internal bleeding is suspected, any occasion where an amputation has occurred,

miscarriages, dental extractions, suspected head injuries, late term pregnancy or any situation where

bleeding is obvious.

Often with netting injuries you will see blistering of the wing membrane several days after rescue.

This condition will generally improve after a couple of days without further intervention but your

patient will be in pain so please treat accordingly. Administer antibiotics as directed by your vet and

don't burst the blisters.

Mouth injuries are painful and will inhibit the bats ability to eat. Animals will need to be fed a

sympathetic diet of soft fruit and smoothie until the damage has healed. Abrasions inside the mouth

can be treated with Xylocaine (as prescribed by your vet) before feeding as these products contain a

local anaesthetic which will make feeding more comfortable

for your patient.

Palate and Mouth Damage Punctures through the bone that forms the hard palate i.e.

between the bone in the roof of the mouth and nasal cavity

are untreatable, as a hole in the bone will not repair. These

injuries are extremely painful and they require urgent

euthanasia. Consult a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis.

Please do not delay and seek advice quickly.

Soft tissue damage is very common with bats off barbed wire

and netting. Lacerations to the palate and soft tissue injuries

may need to be stitched by a vet. Viability is dependent upon the severity of the damage. These

injuries are also very painful and require a sympathetic diet consisting of soft fruit and smoothies

until healed. Pain relief and antibiotics will also be required as prescribed by your vet. If lips have

been torn from gums, the bat will need to be assessed and treated by a vet.

Thumb Injuries Thumbs are very important and if faced with the loss of both thumbs, the animal becomes unviable.

Damage from entanglement or electrocution can cause a thumb to be ‘ring-barked’. In this situation

the bat can often lose the thumb but it will learn to compensate for

its loss. Most female flying-foxes can be released with only one

thumb after a suitable period of time in rehab. Remember, cage life

is very different to life in the wild but given enough time, most

animals will learn to compensate and adjust. Do not put anything on

a thumb injury which is likely to cause it to dry out. The area needs

to be wet healed. After initial cleaning with diluted Betadine, apply

ample Flamazine then use a non-stick dressing such as Melonin.

Wrap the thumb with gauze, then use vet wrap to enclose the

thumb. Ensure it is not too tightly wrapped as you risk cutting off

the necessary blood supply and you may compromise the health of the thumb. Change the dressings

daily, flush gently with saline, dry, reapply Flamazine and bandages and check carefully for any

deterioration in the condition of the thumb. Animals may need to be put onto a course of antibiotics

as prescribed by your vet to prevent infection and pain relief will be required. Bats are generally

Photo: Marg Snowden

Photo: Marg Snowden

Photo: Marg Snowden


March 2012 70

releasable with the loss or partial loss of one thumb but amputation should only be considered as a

last resort.

Wounds and Grazes Cleaning and dressing will usually be required daily. After an initial clean with 50:50 Betadine (kills most

bacteria) clean wounds daily with saline and reapply any medication if required. For minor wounds and

grazes you can use Manuka Wound Gel, Medihoney, Ungvita ointment, Paw Paw Ointment or Solosite

gel. For more severe or open wounds use Flamazine or Bactroban and antibiotics may need to be given

as directed by your vet. An Elizabethan collar or a bat dress may be required if the animal continues to

lick off ointments. Always protect open wounds from fly strike i.e. a fly net over the cage. The bat should

be kept in care until the wound is healed and there is no longer a risk of infection.

Case 1. Open Leg wound

Wounds must initially be thoroughly cleaned with 50/50

Betadine and cooled pre-boiled water. The animal must be

started on antibiotics immediately and given pain relief as

required.

This leg injury was sustained on a barbed wire fence and the

first photo was taken on day 9 after rescue. Often with

wounds, the full extent of the injury does not become

apparent until around day 10 when all the necrotic tissue has

been removed. As nasty as this wound looks, it is clean,

infection free and has a healthy healing edge.

The second photo was taken 14 days later and the wound has

noticeably decreased in size and the deficit over the bone has

been replaced with new tissue.

Picture 3 was taken another 2 weeks on, just before this girl

was taken to the release cage where she was subsequently

released after another 14 days in care.

This bat was in care for a total of 8 weeks and the wound had

completely healed by the time she was released. Given the

right conditions, flying-foxes heal incredibly quickly. After an

initial assessment by the vet, this wound was cleaned daily

with saline (after an initial clean with Betadine) and then dried.

A generous application of Flamazine was applied, a non-stick

dressing (such as Melonin) was used to cover the wound and

the leg was wrapped in copious amounts of Vet wrap to keep

the dressing in place and to keep a very determined bat away

from the injury. The wound was thus covered for the first 6

weeks. Unless you have a reliably fly free enclosure, you must ensure that all wounds are covered or you

must install a net over your hospital cage to ensure that no wounds are left vulnerable to fly strike.

Under veterinary supervision, this bat was given antibiotics for an extended period and pain relief was

provided. It is important to remember that infection is the biggest threat with a wound such as this and

you will need to administer antibiotics as directed by a vet until the wound is obviously healing and

bone coverage has been achieved.

Photo: Denise Wade Photo: Denise Wade


March 2012 71

Any bat on an extended course of antibiotics will benefit from either Inner Health or a probiotic

yoghurt to restore good gut flora both during and after treatment. Daily cleaning not only permits you to

reapply any medications but it also enables you to check for infection or any deterioration of the wound

on a regular basis.

If you see or feel that the wound is deteriorating or it appears to be infected, you must revisit your

vet as quickly as possible. It is necessary to stop the animal interfering with the wound so the applied

ointments will be of maximum benefit and are not ingested by your patient. Depending on the site

of the wound, bat dresses can be the most effective way of doing this.

Wounds will heal quickly and completely if they are kept clean, moist, infection free and covered. Always

protect even minor wounds from fly-strike.

Case 2. Abscessed Wound

Abscesses such as the one pictured on this animal’s neck, are usually caused by bites, sometimes from

other flying-foxes. Abscesses benefit greatly from surgical draining and the removal of necrotic tissue

under general anaesthetic– consult your local vet or wildlife hospital. After consultation with the vet,

treatment is the same as for other wounds – antibiotics and pain relief but bathe daily with diluted

Betadine until the wound is obviously healing and then switch to saline.

Keep the wound open and draining and protect it from fly-strike. This abscess took approximately two

weeks to heal and antibiotics were administered for 10 days.

Using spray bandage Spray bandage is great for use on cuts and scrapes and minor cases of scraped bone. It is useful as it is

well tolerated on membrane and it does no additional damage. The coverage will gradually wear off over

a couple of days. It provides a waterproof barrier and seals out dirt and bacteria.

Where finger bones have been either fully or partially exposed, an Opsite dressing will need to be used.

Only use spray bandage on minor scrapes and wounds.

It is imperative that the area be clean and dry before applying spray bandage. Always protect the

animal's eyes and face whilst using this product. Never apply over existing infection. Bats with

exposed bone may need antibiotics as prescribed by your vet. Basic first-aid principles apply. Hands

should be scrubbed and reapply spray bandage every 3 days.

Photo: Denise Wade


March 2012 72

Diseases, Other Causes and Problems Wildlife zoonoses are a fact of life and it is here we caution all wildlife carers to be vigilant and aware of

the potential risks associated with the rehabilitation of all wild animals. Although we list some of these

zoonosis here, there are many others that do not seriously affect or impact on bat species. For example

Koala Retrovirus KoRV, Hydatid, Salmonella, Q Fever, Ross River Virus and Toxoplasmosis. Some of these

diseases seriously impact marsupials and can be the cause of many wildlife deaths and can cause human

illness.

Lyssavirus (ABL) Animals presenting ABL symptoms must be submitted for testing. As ABL is a notifiable zoonotic

disease, any bats suspected of suffering from ABL must be reported to government authorities.

Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABL) was first isolated in 1996 during an unrelated investigation. ABL is the

closest of the Lyssaviruses to traditional rabies. While this is likely to mean that it is fatal if

contracted, it also means it can be vaccinated against. Only two people are known to have died from

ABL in Australia, one from a yellow-bellied sheath-tailed insectivorous bat and the other from a black

flying-fox but note that this person was not followed up with post exposure vaccinations. Since post

exposure vaccinations have been routinely given and bats killed and tested for the virus, no humans

have died.

Bats with ABL are sick bats and therefore vets and carers are more likely than the general public to

come into contact with ABL. Like rabies, it can only be contracted if the infected saliva of a sick bat

comes into contact with the nerves of a host. This is most likely to occur via a deep bite into nerve

tissues and far less likely from a scratch. ABL cannot be contracted through general contact with a bat

or its urine or faeces. The virus lives for only a very short time outside the body of the host or when

the animal dies.

It follows therefore, that all bat handlers must be VACCINATED against rabies, maintain adequate

titre levels for protection AND WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. If an unvaccinated person is bitten by a

POSITIVE bat immediate post vaccination is available and effective. The virus must multiply in the

tissue before entering the nerves. Therefore the best immediate treatment is to thoroughly wash the

wound with soap and running water for 10 minutes then contact health authorities.

Most bats develop the paralytic form of rabies which causes them to become paralysed and die. They

present with symptoms which appear to be neurological, often displaying aggression in the late

stages and an obvious pain response.

Please follow a rigid hygiene standard, be observant of

animals in your care, seek urgent veterinary attention for any

very ill bats and wear protective clothing to avoid being bitten

or scratched. If you have pets or care for other wildlife

especially snakes, ensure you follow strict hygiene practices

before and after handling different species.


March 2012 73

Signs of Lyssavirus may include: Aggression or being subdued (very different symptoms)

Generalised lethargy may be the only sign

Lack of mobility as in leg paralysis

Shivering

Respiratory distress in the later stages

Rapid darting of the eyes

Salivating or drooling

Whimpering and an appearance of pain.

A change in voice

Rapid deterioration

Occasionally bats develop a different set of symptoms which results in behaviour which is hyper-

aggressive. Such bats may actively approach people and objects and attempt to bite them. Extreme

caution should be exercised when handling any bat displaying these symptoms.

It is worth noting that healthy bats become very distressed when they have painful injuries and may

be screaming, strike out or bite while being handled. We see this especially in bats from netting or

attacked by dogs – terror and fear of a large predator. In most cases, the bat will calm down after a

few hours and when soothed by the carer with food, warmth and a quiet room. Any bat displaying

neurological symptoms (without obvious cause) may be infected with ABL or rat lung worm.

Symptoms such as uncontrollable screaming, fitting and aggressive behaviour may be seen in some

animals. It is also possible for bats of all ages to carry the disease without displaying symptoms.

A bite from any bat must be treated seriously- always wear gloves! Never be complacent with any

wildlife. Bats suspected of ABL must not be released or put in with other bats. The only accepted

identification of the disease is via brain histology. This is arranged by Qld. Health (if a person is

bitten or scratched) or Biosecurity if a domestic animal is bitten. The disease is in less than 0.5% of

healthy free living flying-foxes. It is estimated that in sick or injured animals that jumps to 6%, but

could be up to 15% in little reds.

To find out more go to the paper written by Dr Janine Barrett from Biosecurity Qld at the rear of this

manual.

Also at:http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/27_16070.htm

Hendra Virus (HeV) Hendra Virus was first identified in 1994 when 13 horses and 1 trainer died in the suburb of Hendra.

Between 1994 and 2011 there were 14 known incidents. In 3 months June to August 2011 there

were a further 17 known incidents. In the 14 years to 11th October 2011 a total of 68 horses have

died or have been euthanased due to the disease. Several hundred people were exposed to these

horses. From these events there have been 7 infections in humans with 4 being fatal. All infections

have come from associations with sick horses. A dog with access to 3 dying, Hendra positive horses

developed antibodies and was destroyed due to the unknown risk of further infection. Hendra is a

mysterious and rare virus occurring as far north as Cairns, with clusters in South-East Qld and some

cases in Northern NSW. We understand that the virus is very fragile, yet it still needs to be

determined how horses become infected. While the exact route of infection is unknown, it is

thought that horses may contract Hendra virus infection from eating food recently contaminated by

flying-fox urine, saliva or birthing material. Humans have only contracted Hendra virus from sick

horses and never directly from bats. Scientists are interested in doing more research into how flying-

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/27_16070.htm


March 2012 74

foxes can live with these viruses without appearing sick. It is believed that Hendra virus has always

been in flying-fox populations but it is unknown why the virus is crossing species now. Vaccine trials

have been successfully completed on cats and ferrets. Vaccine testing on horses has also been

successful and a vaccine to protect horses was released in 2012. Steps can be taken to decrease the

risk of Hendra infection in horses. It is important for horse owners to follow information on the

DEEDI website to protect horses, to isolate sick horses early and to pay attention to standard

hygiene and cleaning practices.

It is assumed humans cannot get Hendra from bats as no carer has ever been sick or died from

Hendra virus. Blood tests from carers have indicated no antibodies to the virus. As this is an

assumption by health authorities and it is not a fact, Bat Conservation and Rescue Qld. again warns

carers to be vigilant and extremely hygiene conscious at all times, especially with aborting or birthing

bats and mysteriously ill bats.

If you get an animal into care with unusual symptoms or it is grossly unwell, please immediately talk

to a vet or the BCRQ President. A post mortem can be arranged to discover the cause of illness.

Please do not neglect this as it is up to us to report unusual symptoms and help health outcomes for

both bats and humans. More information can be seen at:www.deedi.qld.gov.au

Leptospirosis This organism is presumed to be the most prevalent zoonosis in the world. (Zoonosis - a disease that

can be transmitted from vertebrate animals to humans) The most common source is from cattle,

pigs, dogs and sheep. The organism is shed in urine of infected animals. Infection is via cuts, abrasions

and mucous membranes. Leptospirosis is treatable and most antibiotics are effective. Again strict

hygiene should be maintained, the wearing of Latex gloves is recommended when cleaning out cages.

Rat Lungworm (Angiostrongylus Cantonensis) Rat Lungworm is a metastrongylid nematode which feeds on rotting vegetative matter and it is often

observed in the garden as a thin, shiny, black worm. Since its introduction into Australia in the early

1950's, there have been more than 15 human deaths. The nematode inhabits the right ventricle and

pulmonary arteries of rats. Rats acquire the infection by eating third stage larvae in the tissue of

intermediate hosts such as slugs and snails. Presumably flying-foxes also acquire the nematode in

the same way when slugs, snails or their slime are concealed amongst fruit and ingested.

Rat Lungworm presents with similar symptoms to ABL. It is usually first noticed as leg or body

paralysis, severe head pain, repetitive eye or head movements and depression. As the condition

progresses, descending neurological symptoms are observed.

The initial clinical course cannot be differentiated from ABL infection. Other symptoms include

shivering, tremors, respiratory distress and increasing paralysis and distress.

Prognosis for the disease is poor. Quick euthanasia of animals is essential to reduce suffering.

Humans cannot contract Rat Lungworm directly from bats. We can however contract this nematode

from unwashed fruit, vegetables and lettuce from the garden.

Intestinal Worms– Toxocara pteropodis – a species specific roundworm.

We do not generally worm every bat that comes into care. If an animal arrives into

care in a very underweight condition and it subsequently fails to thrive after being

assessed by a vet, then it is a good idea to worm it. Orphans usually expel any

intestinal worms once fruit is introduced into their diet. Signs of worms include a

distended belly, lethargy, failure to thrive, constant hunger, poor weight gain and

http://www.deedi.qld.gov.au/


March 2012 75

you may even see worms in the faeces or emerging from the bottom, nose or mouth of your baby or

adult bat. Worms are easily treated with kitten paste so please ask your rehab or baby

co-ordinator for advice on an accurate dose for your baby. Do not worm any animal under four

weeks of age. Administer worming medication between feeds and on an empty stomach.

Cocos Palms This palm is very abundant in Brisbane backyards and it is often associated with rescues in some

form. We have seen seeds firmly wedged behind canine teeth, animals being cocooned in the strappy

leaves, poisoned from eating unripe fruit and even self-mutilating when toes and thumbs are caught

in the flower sheaths. It is also possible that the seeds of this palm are prematurely wearing the teeth

of flying-foxes due to the availability and hardness of the seeds. Since the severe food shortage in the

winter of 2007, flying-foxes have learnt to come to the ground to eat the dropped ripe fruits and are

now also risking dog attack. Please give out our Cocos brochure at every opportunity and explain to

people that Cocos palms are an environmental weed. You can also tell people that if they remove the

seed heads before they ripen, there will be no more rowdy all night parties attended by the local bat

population. There is also the added benefit of the poo on the pavers/washing/driveway/car and

windows being but a distant memory. No palm, no poo, no mess and no noise!

Seeds wedged firmly behind canine teeth. Three seeds were prohibiting the animal from drawing his tongue back under the seeds thus expelling them. Photos: Louise Saunders

Dog/Cat Attack Unfortunately, an increasing number of flying-foxes are being attacked and savaged by dogs. This

may be because they have come to ground to feed off Cocos palm fruit or they are just unlucky and

are snatched when taking off or flying low to the ground. If still alive, dog attack victims are

absolutely terrified and usually badly, if not mortally wounded. Please exercise caution when you

attend a dog attack and ensure that the dog/dogs have been locked away and are nowhere near you

or the bat. We have had rescues in the past where a dog has bitten the rescuer. Dogs can be

possessive of their ‘kill’ and if you get between the dog and its victim, you may be bitten. If the

dog/cat has been bitten by the bat, the event

then becomes a C2. If the bat is not viable and

must be euthanased or is already dead, the pet

owner has the option of taking the body to be

tested. It is entirely the responsibility of the pet

owner to taxi the dead, suitably wrapped and

contained body to the DPI for testing. The bat

carer’s responsibility ends once the bat has been


March 2012 76

euthanased and suitably packaged for transport. If the bat is still alive, please wrap it and give it soft

fruit and juice and assess quickly. Most of these animals will need swift euthanasia as their injuries

will be extreme. Please provide pain relief enroute to the vet or closest euthanasia. Cat attack injuries

are usually not as graphic but cat bites deliver a bacteria packed injection into the bat. If viable, these

bats must be seen by a vet as quickly as possible to have their injuries cleaned out and antibiotics

started quickly if they are to have any hope of survival. Bats that survive a dog attack are rare but

those that do will be taken into care and monitored for central nervous system signs (CNS).

Diarrhoea Young flying-foxes with unusual faeces (including white spots) may have problems with the

absorption of milk. Mal-absorption can result from overfeeding or it may be that the baby is

intolerant to the milk being fed. Flying-foxes are not generally lactose intolerant but the odd

individual can have problems with cow’s milk. Please talk to a baby mentor or a rehab coordinator if

you think your baby is having problems with the milk as we can advise on alternative milks to use. If

the baby has frothy, foul smelling diarrhoea, you need to seek professional advice promptly. It may

have a bacterial or fungal infection and this will require an urgent diagnosis and treatment by your

veterinarian. Babies can dehydrate and die very quickly so please do not delay. A high worm burden

can also cause diarrhoea.

Adult flying-foxes seldom present with diarrhoea but when they do, it is usually an indicator of an

incorrect diet or a fungal or bacterial infection. Please ensure all feeding equipment is washed

regularly with hot soapy water and then rinsed well. This includes all containers, trays and dripper

bottles. If the diarrhoea does not correct itself within 24 hours or the bat is deteriorating, please

seek veterinary help quickly. Only a vet can differentiate between a fungal and bacterial infection

and the treatment will differ depending on the type of infection that may be present. Please be

aware of dehydration if the bat has diarrhoea and provide plenty of additional fluids.

Eye Injuries Eye injuries are universally very painful. All eye injuries must

be treated by your veterinarian. Failure to seek professional

advice and the correct diagnosis and medication could render

the bat blind and in severe pain. Please do not try to self-

diagnose and treat eye injuries or infections yourself but get

the animal to the vet as quickly as possible.

Fungal Infections Fungal spores thrive in wet, warm conditions and may flourish

if a flying-fox is debilitated and unable to groom and dry itself in the sun. Pups who are wrapped and

kept moist and without sufficient sunlight are particularly susceptible to fungal infections in the wing

pits and on wing membrane. Fungal infections manifest themselves as greyish patches on the wing

membrane or as moist, pink, furless areas on the skin usually in wing pits or along the junction where

membrane meets belly. Fungal infections often have a peculiar ‘yeasty' smell. Occasionally fungal

infections will be internalised by bats grooming infected areas.

Prevent fungal infections wherever possible by maintaining high standards of cleanliness, meeting

basic housing requirements and ensuring the flying-fox and its bedding/housing are clean and

thoroughly dry. Bacterial membrane infections can present very similarly to fungal membrane

Photo: Marg Snowden


March 2012 77

infections and the only way to positively differentiate between the two is to seek a diagnosis from

your vet.

Mild membrane infections can be treated with saline and sun time. More extensive or stubborn cases

will require Malaseb Medicated Shampoo to clear the problem. Malaseb has both antibacterial and

antifungal properties and is available from your vet.

It has proven safe to use with both adult and baby flying-foxes. However, do not use Malaseb on

baby bats under 80 grams. For bats weighing less than 80 grams use Surolan, Canesten, Dakartin or

for severe problems, use Panalog only under veterinary supervision.

Panalog and Surolan are only available from your vet. If improvement is not seen within 24 hours of

starting Panalog, please revisit your vet as soon as possible. Panalog must be used sparingly and with

caution and strictly as directed by your veterinarian

Surolan may be applied liberally to the problem area, massaged in well and it may be used twice

per day for 7 days.

Malaseb works extremely well and it is usual to only require one or two applications of Malaseb to

heal the problem. If the problem has not resolved itself after this time, please consult your

veterinarian.

Malaseb is to be mixed at the following dilution. One part Malaseb to 30 parts cool, pre-boiled

water. Eg. mix 1ml of Malaseb with 30ml of cool pre-boiled water. Repeat every second day.

Gently sponge this mixture onto the affected area only, wrap the bat for a period of 10 minutes

(please use a timer and do not just guess the 10 minutes) and then thoroughly rinse off the Malaseb

with water. Do not allow the animal to lick the treated area as ingestion of Malaseb is poisonous.

Gently blot the wet, rinsed wing with a towel or allow the wing to airdry. Canesten or Daktarin cream

can be safely used twice per day in conjunction with Malaseb to soothe itching and irritation. Please

consult your veterinarian if this problem does not resolve itself rapidly.

For internalised fungal infections, use Nilstat Oral Drops available from your Chemist. Give an initial

dose of 0.2ml. Administer 0.1ml four times per day thereafter, between or after feeds to allow the

drug contact with mucus membranes for the maximum amount of time. Continue for 48 hours after

all signs have disappeared. A bat with an internal fungal infection will present with very smelly, loose

poo with the odour reminiscent of ripe cheese.

After treatment has ended, it is always good practice to provide your baby or adult flying-fox with

either Inner Health or a probiotic yoghurt such as Jalna to help restore normal gut flora.

Maggots & Fly eggs Maggots are unfortunately a common problem in adults and

babies alike. Any animal left in a situation where it is unable

to groom itself or it has open wounds, is a candidate for

maggot infestation. Flies lay their eggs on the fur and open

wounds and maggots then hatch and start consuming flesh.

Fly eggs will present as small white or yellow oblong clusters

or clumps on the fur or skin. All animals rescued from the

ground or off barbed wire and netting need to be thoroughly inspected for the presence of maggots

or fly eggs. Eggs can be successfully removed with the help of a small cosmetic comb and maggots

flushed from wounds using 3% hydrogen peroxide. Talk to an experienced carer for more detailed

advice in removing maggots. Antibiotics as prescribed by your vet will need to be used. Please be

vigilant for several days following rescue as maggots will continue to hatch if any undetected eggs are

Photo: Marg Snowden


March 2012 78

left on the animal. The eggs are extremely difficult to exterminate successfully in one hit and there

are usually residual eggs left no matter how carefully you attempt to extract them.

If you suspect the animal has internal maggots, please visit the vet urgently. If internal maggots are

present you can sometimes see them moving about under the skin or behind the eyes or emerging

from a body orifice. Ivermectin sheep strength drench can be used to treat internal maggots but you

must see your vet for treatment urgently for dose rates and treatment. Antibiotics and pain relief

will also be required.

Mites These are commonly seen in debilitated animals. They do not usually cause major problems but a

heavy infestation will cause irritation and bald patches in the fur. There are several different species

of mites liable to be carried on a flying-fox. You may need to visit your vet to ascertain which species

are present. Sarcopid mites will present with more severe symptoms and will require a vet to

accurately diagnose and treat. If there are only a few mites visible, they can be cleaned off with

Johnson's baby lotion. Mites are usually seen around the face, neck and bottom. Apply the lotion

liberally to these areas and then wipe and dry the area off. Use daily until no more mites are seen.

In cases of severe infestation, Cat Revolution can be safely used. Please seek advice from your vet. Do

not use Bird Mite Powder as this product is toxic if ingested. Talk to an experienced carer for more

information.

Pneumonia– Viral, bacterial and aspiration.

Immediate veterinary attention is required. Pneumonia is common in orphans, especially those that

have been left hanging on a dead mother, have been on the ground for long periods and in wet

weather. The first signs tend to be breathing problems, heralded by an audible clicking sound when

breathing out or in difficulty feeding. This tends to be fatal unless antibiotics are prescribed and

administered promptly by a vet. Adults will be very lethargic, often hanging close to the ground. They

will have half closed, watery eyes and may have a mucous discharge from the nose with breathing

difficulties. A visit to the vet for a fast acting antibiotic injection is recommended. Animals should be

kept in a warm bed in a quiet location and given plenty of rest and fluids. Symptoms may also be a

sign of a viral infection of unknown origin so please be attentive with your hygiene.

Exercise caution when administering IP fluids to these patients. Fluid overload can result in an

increase in fluid in the lungs, worsening clinical signs.

Nycteribiidae These six legged insects are on most bats. A healthy bat will often scratch them out of their fur. With

backward facing hairs on their legs, they can bury into the fur and be very difficult to remove. Sick

and debilitated bats can sometimes have a dozen or more. These interesting little creatures are

Nycteribiidae, often referred to as bat flies or wingless flies. Sometimes they are mistaken for ticks.

They are host specific and live on blood and the dry flakes of skin shed by the flying-foxes (they carry

their own mites too!). They cannot survive on you or your domestic

animals. Remove them by hand and destroy them by flicking them into

water. As they will keep sucking the blood of a rehabilitating animal it

is best to remove them. Microbats carry their own mini sized

Nycteribiidae.

Nycteribiidae or bat flies. Thanks to Qld Museum. Cyclopodia

albertisii is a common species of Nycteribiidae found on Australian

flying foxes.


March 2012 79

Photo: Louise Saunders

When flying-foxes were in large numbers on Stradbroke

Island in 2009, there were great photo opportunities

not only of the flying-foxes but also of the bat flies. As

we walked on the boardwalk underneath the bats, it

was raining bat flies. As fast as the bats scratched them

off, these little opportunists would rush back up the

tree to find another host.


March 2012 80

Care of Adult Flying-Foxes

Bed Rest See page 57.

Holistic Healing and Success to Release It is important to attend to not only the physical side of

your patient’s recovery but also its mental state. A

stressed and unhappy animal in pain will obviously not

heal as quickly or as well as one whose needs are

considered and addressed.

Make friends with your bat as soon as possible as this will help it overcome its natural fears. Newly

rescued animals are usually terrified and in pain and they will bite. Always protect yourself by

wearing gloves, long sleeves and use thick towels when handling flying-foxes. Speak quietly in

soothing tones and offer juice and small pieces of fruit on a skewer. Flying-foxes are intelligent and

most of them will catch on pretty quickly that you are trying to help them. Nearly all the wild bats

that you encounter will be quickly won over using a combination of soft conversation, mango juice

and banana and they will generally calm down within the first few days. Some animals never adjust to

time in rehab and will be miserable regardless. They are all individuals and their needs will have to be

evaluated on a case by case basis. Do not worry about ‘humanising’ a rescued wild adult flying-fox. As

soon as that animal is released, its natural instincts will override any fondness for human company it

may have developed whilst in care and it will very quickly revert back to being a wild animal.

There is no excuse for the rough handling of any animal and this is especially relevant when dealing

with both flying-foxes and microbats. Be gentle and take your time when treating and medicating bats.

Handle bats firmly but with compassion and kindness. After a brief settling in period, most will

respond favourably and you may discover the greatest satisfaction in rehabbing flying-foxes comes

from their incredible acceptance and understanding of your intent to help them.

Try and create an atmosphere for your rehabbing bats free from loud TVs, radios, barking dogs, lawn

mowers and passing pedestrian traffic. Remember that these are wild animals unused to the sounds

and routines we consider a normal part of our everyday lives. Please consider your patient’s need for

batty companionship, good quality food, fresh clean water, sanitary living conditions, accurate medicinal

doses, pain relief, room to stretch and groom wings, time in the sun, privacy, shelter, peace and

quiet. Addressing each of these issues individually will give your flying-fox a suitable and conducive

environment in which to heal – free from stress, hunger, thirst, pain and isolation. A quiet, calm,

restful recuperation is the priority here.

If you are unable to provide these basics, please make alternative arrangements for your rescued

animals as soon as possible.

Cat carry cages are suitable for rescues and bed rest ONLY. Animals MUST NOT be housed in these

cages for extended periods without prior approval from a co-ordinator.

If you have only one animal in care, you can house it in a hospital cage for up to 7 days. Appropriate

hospital cages are available for short-term care which will allow your patient adequate room for

stretching and movement. Do not house a single animal alone in a Batmax.

Photo: Denise Wade

Photo: Denise Wade


March 2012 81

If however, you have more than one animal in care, they can be housed together in a Batmax for a

longer period and a maximum of 2 to 3 weeks. Once your flying-fox is on the road to recovery and

has finished its course of antibiotics, treatment or other medication, please relocate it to more

suitable housing for long term care or release. Long term rehabbing flying-foxes must be housed in

flight aviaries where they have access to sun, rain, shelter, flight space, batty company and browse.

Contact your rehab co-ordinator for members with the appropriate level of accommodation for

your rehab bat.

Housing As community animals, experience has shown us that flying-foxes are infinitely happier and more

settled when in the company of other flying-foxes. This is very pronounced as a bat that is almost

impossible to handle can calm down significantly once in the presence of other bats.

Consequently, adult flying-foxes should not be kept singly. The only exceptions to this rule are for

animals recovering in bed or you may keep a single animal for up to a week if you are medicating.

Please watch for signs of stress and if the animal is very unhappy, then you will have to send it to

another carer who has other bats. Sometimes even this short confinement is too difficult for some

bats to manage and each case needs to be evaluated on an individual basis. Please do not put a single

bat into a Batmax. It must go into a hospital cage if it is by itself. Be prepared to either transfer a bat

to another carer or if you

have approved facilities,

take in additional bats

yourself to allow this to

happen. If you house more

than 4 adult bats in rehab,

BCRQ can help ease the

financial burden on carers by

providing some assistance

with medication, fruit and

High Protein Supplement.

Provided funds are available,

this assistance can be

accessed by registering your

details

[email protected]

Hospital cage or enclosure The type of housing required will depend mainly on the extent of injuries and the overall health of

the bat. In most cases, it is wise to initially house any rescued flying-fox in a hospital cage so that you

can easily observe their movements and provide treatment. After a couple of days they should

readily accept their medication. Only keep a bat on its own for the duration of medication – no more

than 7 days. If the bat is terribly unhappy, talk to a rehab co-ordinator to either find a companion

animal or move your bat to a larger cage.

Orphans enjoy a Batmax enclosure with lots of stimulation.

Photo: Marg Snowden



March 2012 82

Hospital cage setup The hospital cage is for initial observation and care and for cases where

it is advisable to limit the flying-fox's movement. Do not put a bat into a

cage any smaller than a hospital cage unless it is receiving bed rest.

Key points are:

If you have more than one bat in care, position the cages so that

they can see each other. Where possible, house flying-foxes

together in the one cage.

A maximum of 2 animals only are to be kept in a hospital cage.

Locate the cage in a position where the bats are hanging at least at

your shoulder height on a table or bench and NEVER on the floor.

Locate the cage where the flying-foxes can see you approach.

Position it somewhere quiet, away from general household noise and away from pets and

children

Bring the cage indoors at night to avoid cold night time temperatures and that dawn struggle for

freedom.

Locate the cage where there is natural sunlight so that the flying-fox can have a sunshine bath.

(Watch for heat stress). This helps to prevent conditions such as slimy wing.

Always provide shade so the animal has a choice as to whether it will hang in the sun or the

shade.

Food should always be provided. Dishes - D-cups

should be at shoulder height for a hanging bat.

FRESH CLEAN WATER MUST ALWAYS be

available, either in a d-cup at shoulder height or in

an open container.

The cage must have smooth wires and no sharp

protrusions. Tying branches to the bars can

provide an appropriate perch.

Ensure the cage has some towels hanging in or

around the cage to provide privacy and shelter for

the bat.

Outdoor Enclosure setup The minimum dimensions for an outdoor aviary are 4 meters wide X 4 meters long but preferably

larger. These permanent structures will need to be roomy enough for a number of flying-foxes to

move around, socialise and be able to fly if they desire. Many of the key points are the same as for a

hospital cage but on a larger scale. For instance, the aviary must allow easy access to medicate and

catch bats, provide adequate shelter from rain, wind and sun, be easily cleaned, be vermin proof and

provide a safe interior where animals are unable to injure themselves.

These flight cages are suitable for long term care and they are also great for orphans as they allow a

safe flight area for young bats learning to master the finer points of aerial manoeuvres.

Photo Paul Allen


March 2012 83

Some additional requirements are:

You should provide a number of shelter points such as all-weather overhead cover as well as

hanging towels or blankets. The bats will scent mark these as territories and can hide from

you and each other behind them.

Room to fly. Try and put your foliage, shelters etc in the corners of your enclosure, leaving

the centre clear for movement and flight. Flying foxes will fly across even a small space if

there is enough room.

Plenty of sunshine. Bats are sun worshipers and they must have access to sunshine, especially

morning sun.

The cage must be rat and snake proof. To achieve this, the entire cage must have an aviary

wire skin. Due to the potential transfer of ABLV from wild bats, an internal skin of netting is

also required.

Pool noodles covered with shade cloth are great for bats to launch from and land on when flying.

They are also an excellent teaching aid for orphans learning to climb vertical surfaces. Invaluable

lessons when orphans are released into a world of trees and branches. Enrichment is also

important to help prevent boredom. Provide browse in the form of native branches and blossom.

Bats love to play with toys such as baby rattles and stuffed animals. They particularly enjoy

anything with a bell attached. 14 to 16 mm woven polyester rope (not silver rope as it is too prickly

for flying-fox feet) can provide a wonderful opportunity for flying-foxes to exercise and play on.

Babies can practice flapping and climbing and adults enjoy running along the ropes. Kebabs of fruit

are thoroughly enjoyed as are bunches of grapes pegged onto plastic chain.

‘Pteropus Inn’

The Wade Battery

3.5 x 7 metres

‘Belfry Manor’

The Goodwin bat house

an 8.5 metre hexagon


March 2012 84

Batmaxes Batmaxes are suitable for housing older orphans and they are also used for rehabbing adult and

juvenile bats. These enclosures are great for short term accommodation only and although they

provide more space than a hospital cage,

they are still too small to allow adult

animals to exercise adequately in the long

term.

Never keep a single animal in your

Batmax. You must have a minimum of 2

animals in a Batmax.

When locating your Batmax, you must

provide shelter from prevailing winds, sun

and rain. You must also hang towels for

privacy and protection from birds, cats

and other animals. It is essential that the

Batmax is located on hard, level ground to

prevent access by snakes and goannas.

As these cages are larger, they enable you to provide branches and blossom for your bats to enjoy.

Please do not put any animal in a Batmax that may be at risk from fly strike or that has open

wounds. These animals must be kept in a hospital cage with a mosquito net for protection from

flies.

If you happen to be up and about between midnight and 4am one morning, sit and observe the

activity in your Batmax. If you sit quietly, out of the line of sight of the bats and watch, you will

probably see your rehab animals frantically pacing the cage and searching for a way out. This is why

we only recommend you keep flying-foxes in your Batmax for a limited period of time. Once their

medication and immediate treatment has finished (a maximum of 2 – 3 weeks), it is in the best

interests of your animals to get them into a large flight cage where

they can interact with their peers and also fly if they are inclined or

able.

Rehabbing is about providing for not only the physical wellbeing of

the animal in your care but it also encompasses the psychological

needs of a wild animal. A cage is still a cage regardless of its size

but a larger cage will be able to provide a more natural

environment and allow animals to fly, exercise and perform

normal flying-fox behaviours to a greater degree. A confined and

unhappy animal simply will not heal as well as one whose mind

and body has been considered and provided for.

Cleaning The floor of the cage or enclosure should be cleaned daily as the

flying-foxes will have deposited a reasonable amount of poo, spats

and dropped fruit. Cleaning is easier if you line the floor of the hospital cage with newspaper or

puppy training pads. You can then simply replace the newspaper/pads each day. An outdoor aviary

can be kept clean by putting down a layer of river sand. It can easily be raked and it absorbs smells.

Photo: Marg Snowden


March 2012 85

Feeding Flying-foxes should be fed once per day in the evening which is when they would typically feed in the

wild. Food containers should be placed at shoulder height when the bat is hanging. Clean water must

be available at all times for both rehab and orphan bats. By weighing your bat every couple of days

you will be able to ascertain whether or not the animal is thriving. If its weight is increasing and there

is fruit left in the tray or dish in the morning, then you can be confident that your flying-fox is

receiving sufficient food. If you wake up to empty bowls in the morning, please provide additional

fruit.

What to feed Bats without mouth injuries should be fed on cubes of fruit coated in Wombaroo High Protein

Supplement (HPS). The supplement is required as fruit alone will not provide them with sufficient

nutrition, particularly if they are in care for long periods.

Suggested quantities per flying-fox are approximately 300 – 375 grams of fruit and 10grams of HPS

per animal. Of course, appetites will vary and you should alter the amount offered depending on how

much food, if any, is left by the following morning. It is important that enough food is provided and

eaten so the flying-fox does not lose weight whilst in care. You may have to cater to the fussy eater.

The bulk of the fruit should be comprised of pears and rockmelon as these are fairly easy to obtain.

Other suitable fruits include pawpaw, melons, mangoes, bananas and seedless grapes. Stone fruits

and lychees must never be fed as it is believed that this will encourage the bats to raid orchards,

which of course is extremely dangerous for bats. Banana should only be provided in small quantities

as it contains large amounts of fibre which can cause problems with the flying-fox's digestion,

especially grey-headed flying-foxes.

Some bats may be reluctant to eat the fruit. Try hanging fruit as this is more natural than eating

from a dish. Not eating may be due to stress, generally feeling unwell or it is often due to mouth

injuries. Smoothies are a great alternative for debilitated animals and animals with mouth inju ries.

The following options are suitable for compromised bats. Options include soft pears, rockmelons,

ripe mangoes, grapes, small amounts of ripe bananas, Leadbeater's Mix or Dave's Banana Smoothie.

(Refer to recipe below). Banana smoothie is a complete maintenance diet and is the preferred diet

for malnourished or debilitated bats. You may

need to feed this directly to the flying-fox with a

syringe to ensure that the animal is receiving

nourishment. You will also have to clean its face

with a damp cloth after feeding as smoothie is

sticky and difficult to remove once dry. Smoothie is

particularly useful when the flying-fox first comes

into care or until mouth injuries have healed

sufficiently to allow the flying-fox to eat fruit.

Please ensure that sufficient fluids are being

consumed.

Little Red Flying-Foxes have a different diet to

Black and Grey Headed Flying-Foxes. The recipe for

a specific feed mix for Little Reds is provided

below. However you should discuss all care

requirements for Little Reds, including feeding,

with your Bat Co-ordinator.

Photo: Marg Snowden


March 2012 86

Smoothie Recipes

Leadbeater’s Mix This brew is a great dietary supplement for underweight or compromised flying-foxes. It is an

invaluable and highly palatable mix for rehabbing animals unable to manage solids or for animals

needing a boost.

Made up mix should be stored in the refrigerator, it will last for up to a fortnight.

21 grams Heinz Baby Cereal

150 grams honey

1 tablespoon Sustagen powder (vanilla flavour)

1 hard-boiled egg white

Method:

Blend egg white to medium consistency

Add honey and cereal, blend

(you may need to add some water at this stage to help mixsmoothly)

Add Sustagen and continue blending

Add water to make up to 750 ml.

Dave Pinson’s Banana Smoothie This mix is ideal for all flying-foxes as it provides a well-balanced sustenance diet and may be used

for extended periods to maintain debilitated animals.

2 ripe bananas,

1 peeled - cored - and steamed apple,

100 grams of Jalna Bush Honey or Strawberry acidophilus yoghurt,

50 grams Flying Fox High Protein Supplement,

20 grams glucose powder,

1 cup of apple/mango juice and

1 cup of water [consistency to go through a bare syringe].

Throw in the blender and hit the go button.

Put it in small containers and refrigerate until needed

Feeding Mix for Little Red Flying Foxes

125mls Golden Circle 100% apple and mango juice

15mls Wombaroo Lorikeet & Honeyeater mix

7 grams Wombaroo High Protein Supplement

Mix should be stored in the refrigerator.

Simply mix all ingredients together thoroughly.

Photo: Shannon Parker


March 2012 87

Ongoing Care and Rehabilitation It's important to monitor the bat daily for signs of

recovery and also to ensure that new problems have

not developed. Some of the problems that may occur

whilst flying-foxes are rehabilitating include:

Slimy wing – a fungal infection which is

usually seen in debilitated animals and is

caused by too little time in the sun and

stress. For more details and treatment refer

to the section on fungal infections.

Grazes particularly on the thumbs, wings and

nose. These injuries can be caused whilst the

bat is moving around the cage or even from

sharp edges on feed dishes.

Maggots – Be vigilant as flies are attracted to open wounds and lactating females.

Mosquito nets are cheap and can be purchased from Pillow Talk or camping stores.

It is also a good idea to weigh animals in care every couple of days initially, to ensure they

are not losing too much weight. It is common for bats to lose weight during their first

week in care but it is important to ensure that this weight loss does not continue. Bats can

be given smoothies via a syringe every couple of hours throughout the day and this

high calorie food will help to arrest their weight loss.

If the bat has either gained or lost weight since entering care, it may be

necessary to check and recalculate medication doses frequently. If in doubt about

required treatment, discuss with your vet.

Release A key objective of Bat Conservation and Rescue Qld's work is to

raise and/or rehabilitate bats so that they can be released to the

wild as soon as possible. Carers must keep this in mind at all

times.

We have a great system in place for the release of rehab bats

and members are encouraged to use our release facility at

Camira. We can also safely test fly bats here so we are satisfied

that they can cope successfully once released. Whenever we

have a group of animals ready for release, they are taken to the

cage at Camira, housed for a couple of weeks to take advantage

of the increased flight area and then support fed after release.

DO NOT RELEASE A BAT WITHOUT CONSULTING A REHAB CO-ORDINATOR

Remember that it is a requirement that all bats rescued from netting or barbed wire be kept in care

for at least 10 days following rescue. Early release can mean death for a bat that may develop

wing complications after release. Bats need to fly long distances every night to feed and an animal

unable to maintain flight will suffer greatly and could well die if released prematurely.

Once flying-foxes have recovered, they must be released as soon as possible. Always consult the rehab coordinator to discuss the release method. Photo – Louise Saunders


March 2012 88

If a flying-fox has sustained injuries which may have affected its ability to fly (e.g. wing injuries,

major body injuries, etc.) or if it has been in care for some time (greater than 3-4 weeks), then it is

vital to confirm that the bat is capable of sustained flight before it is released. This means that the

bat needs to be in an enclosure large enough for it to have room to exercise and fly for a period

(ideally a couple of weeks) prior to release. There are always other rehab bats in care for extended

periods and when a number of flying-foxes are ready for release, they can be gathered together in

a pre-release facility such as Warra or our release facility in Camira and released in groups. This is

our preferred way of releasing animals that have been in care for extended periods. After your bat

has finished its medication, get it to one of these facilities along with other bats as it will heal

faster in the company of other animals.

It is also vitally important that young animals tha t have been in care are housed

and subsequently released with adult flying -foxes at our Camira facility. This

assists with their successful integration back into a wild colony. These juv enile

bats are support fed following release.

Camira Release Site Our new release site at Camira

backs onto an established flying-

fox colony which hosts Blacks

and Grey-headed flying-foxes all

year round. Visiting Little Reds

arrive during the summer

months and we are now able to

soft release all three species

from this facility.

Our release cage is situated on

private property and it is used to

strengthen flight muscles in

preparation for release and is

also used as our crèche facility for the 200 or so orphans our members raise each year.

Our rehab animals benefit enormously from time spent in such a large flight cage and we

encourage all members to send their rehab bats to this cage for soft release.


March 2012 89

Enrichment Regardless of where your flying-fox is housed, all bats need cage enrichment. Enrichment can

come in many forms such as ropes, branches of native plants, toys, shade cloth covered pool

noodles, bells that tinkle, fruit chunks on skewers, towels for hiding in and obviously access to

fresh food and water daily.

A pinch of salt can be added to flavour the water and when you supply both salty and plain fresh

water bats often drink the salty well before the plain water. Flying-foxes have been observed in

the wild licking salt from mangrove leaves and they readily drink brackish water from tidal rivers

and streams. In care, they must always be given a choice if you are giving them salted water.

Always provide a bowl of fresh unsalted water.

We all know how intelligent flying-foxes are and we witness time and time again their ability to

problem solve. In the wild, bats live in highly social, complex hierarchies and the simple truth is

that they will not thrive without the company of their own kind. Congenial company is usually not

difficult to arrange. However, bats in care require more than just companionship to heal and

mend their physical and mental scars. They need an environment that encourages and allows

them to not only socialise but to forage, exercise and keep their curious, active minds challenged.

Cage enrichment is all about maintaining a healthy mind which in turn, contributes to a settled

and contented patient. We need to replicate as closely as possible natural conditions and to

provide opportunities for bats to exercise and build and maintain muscle tone whilst in care.

Hospital cages are suitable short term housing, but only for a maximum of 7 days. For some

individuals even this short period is too long a confinement and these bats need to be taken to a

member who has larger facilities as quickly as possible. Confining and isolating a social and free

spirit to a small cage for any length of time is not conducive to healing and it is in truth, cruel.

Take a peak in the wee small hours and observe how your bats are coping. If they are roaming

around desperately looking for an escape route or they are not maintaining or gaining weight, it is

past time to move them on. A healthy spirit goes a long way to ensuring a healthy body and this

aspect of rehab is so easily overlooked but it is of the utmost importance. Provided your flying-fox

is well enough, it can be upgraded to a Batmax or flight aviary after a short stay in a hospital cage.

If your bat isn’t badly injured or doesn’t need protection from fly strike, consider putting your


March 2012 90

rehab bats straight out into your Batmax. Medicating is no problem in a Batmax and your patients

will enjoy the extra room. Your bat can stay in a Batmax with other bats for company, for up to

three weeks. After this time, it must be moved to an approved flight aviary to continue with its

rehabilitation. This three week limit is not in place to facilitate carer feelings but it is designed

with our patient’s mental and physical health as a priority. Flight aviaries allow for stargazing,

room to fly and opportunities to enjoy lots of toys and browse as well as space to have your own

private bedroom if that is what is desired. Bats in care need to see the sky, feel the rain on their

wings and enjoy the sunshine.

As a carer, there is much you can do to provide enrichment. Simple things like hanging towels and

fruit kebabs containing cooked corn on the cob, mangos, pears or apples, guinea pig treat balls

and stuffed toys can all provide your animals with mental stimulation. The addition of native

browse is always a welcome treat and it is not only blossom that bats enjoy. They adore

rummaging around in leafy branches, biting off sticks and chewing leaves and bark. 14mm ropes

strung up in long stretches are incredibly popular as bats love running, swinging and flapping on

them. Shadecloth covered pool noodles are a wonderful asset to your Batmax or flight aviary as

adults enjoy swinging on them and babies learn valuable vertical climbing skills. They also provide

a soft landing pad for individuals that are flying or learning to fly.

A little bit of imagination on your part can pay huge

dividends for the animals in your care. It is our

responsibility as rehabbers to put the needs of the animals

before our own wants and desires. Small efforts on your

part can make the difference between a stressed and

unhappy inmate versus a relaxed and contented patient.

Photos: Shannon Parker


March 2012 91

Lending a Hand at Crèche and Release Time Your responsibility for the animals you rear and rescue does not end after weaning or initial

treatment. This is only the beginning of a process which requires many hands and a dedication from

members to ensure a successful outcome for each flying-fox that passes through our service.

Members can assist with fruit chopping for crèche and support feeding for our orphans. We also

have a need for fruit choppers at the Camira facility when your rehabbed animals go for release.

Please consider assisting with these duties to lessen the load on other members.

We hope you will participate in feeding rosters as often as you are able. This is an area of concern

for many wildlife groups – some carers fail to see that caring does not stop once you deliver your

orphan to the crèche site. You have a responsibility to your organization to follow through to the

end and share the work load with other volunteers.

Too often the responsibility of feeding each and every night of the week, for as many as 12 to 16

weeks, falls upon the same shoulders. Please be considerate and help cut fruit. It is a great way to

get to know other carers and it is often fun.


March 2012 93

TIPS FOR DIFFERENT RESCUES Phone Co-ordinator to Rescuer NETTING RESCUES

1. Remove all netting from the bat on site as safely and as fast as possible.

2. Hydrate – if the bat is unable to take fluids orally then it must be given IP fluids as quickly

as possible – on site if possible or nearest willing veterinarian. If the rescuer is not vet

trained to IP or is unable to find a willing vet then the animal must be transported to an

experienced carer immediately or the rehab co-coordinator contacted.

3. After ensuring ALL of the netting has been removed, put the bat to bed.

4. Look for signs of shock – cold to the touch, has pale gums, is unusually quiet and

unresponsive, has a fixated vacant stare or appears to be regressing. Treat for shock

immediately if the rescuer thinks there is any chance that the animal is in shock: provide

warmth, rest in bed and IP fluids immediately. Up to 10% of warmed IP fluids to a

warmed bat.

5. Treat wounds and refer to the rehab manual for medication doses and wound care advice.

See Vet if bat needs antibiotics.

6. During baby season always check for babies either around the tree or in the undergrowth.

7. The bat must be kept in care for a minimum of 10 days. If it is a lactating mother, please

call a rehab co-ordinator as soon as possible.

BARBED WIRE RESCUES 1. Hydrate – as above. Oral fluids urgently or IP fluids if unable to take oral fluids.

2. Check for palate damage as this will determine where the bat is to be taken next. If the

rescuer is sure the animal has a ruptured palate (oral fluids coming straight back out nose)

then the bat will need to be euthanased quickly. SEE A VET IMMEDIATELY.

3. If female and in baby season, check for babies in the undergrowth and surrounds.

4. Remove the barbs as carefully as possible. NEVER, cut the membrane. If the rescuer is

unable to remove the wire then wrap the bat securely and seek help urgently from an

experience carer or SEE A VET IMMEDIATELY.

5. Put the animal to bed to transport home and also to rest when home is reached.

6. Look for signs of shock. Animals may appear fine at the point of rescue but they can and

often do deteriorate after several hours. Please remind the rescuer of this.

7. Refer to the rehab manual for medication doses, treatment and viability. See vet if bat

requires antibiotics.

8. The bat must be kept for a minimum for 10 days. If it is a lactating mother, please call a

rehab coordinator as soon as possible.

9. Any problems with regard to viability, medications or IP then please advise the rescuer to

phone the rehab coordinator.

10. If there are signs of deterioration call rehab co-ordinator or SEE A VET IMMEDIATELY

DOG ATTACK AND CAR HITS 1. Hydrate immediately.

2. Keep the bat well wrapped and look for signs of shock.

3. Check carefully for fractures and breaks.

4. Breaks may not be obvious in car hit so please SEE A VET IMMEDIATELY for x-rays

5. Provide pain relief and antibiotics as advised by the vet if the animal is viable.


March 2012 94

6. Provide bed rest and quiet.

ELECTROCUTION 1. Most non-fatal electrocutions will need to be euthanased as quickly as possible.

2. Give pain relief medication

3. Soft fruit will provide instant comfort even if you are taking the animal for euthanasia.

4. Wrap the bat firmly in damp towels and transport urgently to either a vet, RSPCA, Louise,

Annette or Denise for euthanasia.

5. If the animal does not appear to be badly affected, wrap firmly in dampened towels and SEE

A VET IMMEDIATELY or experienced carer for assessment and treatment.

BROKEN BONES 1. Hydrate and wrap the animal firmly in towels. Never lay the animal on its injured side and

NEVER hang a bat with broken or fractured limbs or bones.

2. Broken limbs must be supported with towels during transport to minimize pain SEE A VET

IMMEDIATELY.

3. Broken fingers and long bones can heal depending on the site of the fracture. Please see a

vet urgently.

4. ALL broken bones must be seen by a vet.

Why we do this job!

To improve the lives of bats

To save the lives of bats

To change bad practice

To stop cruelty

To end the suffering

To educate communities

Because if we don’t do it

Who will?

This is our job and we do it well

Photo: Marg Snowden


March 2012 95

REHABILITATORS SUPPLY LIST Antibacterial Hand Gel

For use before and after treating wounds

Opsite Flexifix 5 cm width for bone scrapes and wounds

Cotton Tips/buds

For applying creams DuoDerm Extra thin dressing for scraped bones and wounds

Latex Gloves For treatment and examination

Melolin Non-stick absorbent dressings

Scissors Small and large Interpose Non-stick absorbent dressings

Face Mask For use whilst dealing with birthing or aborting bats

Bactroban Ointment

An antibiotic prescription only ointment for wounds

Protective Glasses

Put on before entering cages/batmax

Surolan (vet only), Daktarin or Canesten

For fungal wing/body infections in babies and adults

Mosquito net To prevent fly strike of bats with wounds or lactating mothers

Flamazine For burns and wounds

Pipettes For administering medicines or fluids

Ungvita Ointment For wounds

Metal Tweezers

Manuka wound gel For burns and wounds

E-Collar To restrain cranky bats during treatment or to stop bats interfering with wounds

Solosite For keeping exposed bone ends moist and also for wounds

Bat Dresses Or cut a sock to suit Hirudoid Cream For bruising

Heat Pads Hot water bottles Malaseb Medicated Shampoo

For the treatment of fungal infections on wings and body

Saline For flushing and irrigating wounds

3% hydrogen peroxide

For killing maggots and removing fly eggs

Betadine For cleaning wounds and preparing IP site prior to injection

Eyebrow/lash groomer or Nit Comb

For removing maggots and fly eggs

Vetwrap (5 cm width)

For bandaging legs and thumbs

Amoxyclav, Clavulox or Noroclav 50 mg tablets

An antibiotic - prescription only

Soft cotton gauze

For cleaning and dressing wounds

Children’s Panadol – 1 month to 2 years

Pain relief for baby flying- foxes

Mediwipes or Alcohol Wipes

For preparing IP site prior to injection

Day-time Painstop for Children

Pain relief for adult flying- foxes

Elastoplast Spray Bandage

For minor wounds and scrapes

300mg Aspro Clear tablets

To aid the healing of membrane damage

1 litre bag of 0.9% sodium chloride

For IP injection Betamox Palatable Drops

Antibiotic for babies

1ml syringes For the accurate calibration of medication

Metacam - Dog or cat strength

Anti-inflammatory. Vet only medication

5ml or 10ml

For IP injection – babies Nutrigel High Energy Vitamin Concentrate

For debilitated bats

20ml syringes or larger

For IP injection - adults 25 gauge x 3/4 inch winged scalp set

For IP injection


March 2012 96

WHICH DRUG OR PAIN RELIEVER DO I USE?

A GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE CORRECT AND APPROPRIATE

MEDICATION FOR A WOUND OR INJURY Although the stable of drugs we use and consider safe for flying-foxes is limited, the medications we

do advocate, if used appropriately and correctly, are very effective. It is vitally important that you

understand the nature of the drug you intend to use in relation to its efficacy and safety. It is

pointless and dangerous to use medications that are not intended for a particular purpose. All drugs

have a systemic effect on the inner workings of a body and we must ensure that the benefits

outweigh the risks whenever we medicate.

ALWAYS CONSULT A VETERINARIAN if you require more information and assistance.

If your patient does not improve within a reasonable time frame, you must seek professional advice

promptly. Never just leave a problem and hope that it will resolve itself. Failure to seek assistance

could mean prolonged suffering and death for the animal in your care. If in ANY doubt always consult

your vet. Occasionally the medications we recommend and use will not be effective and different

approaches and drugs will need to be sourced.

Once you have decided on or have been prescribed a particular course of treatment, continue with

the same medication until your patient has either finished the prescribed course or as in the case of

pain relief, no longer requires that particular medication. However, you may need to change a

medication that has not been effective in a particular instance. Consistency is important for

medication to be effective, so do not chop and change medications without good reason. This applies

to all of the drugs we use. Decide the best treatment on a case by case basis and stick with it. This is

particularly important when the animal in your care has been prescribed a course of antibiotics. You

must complete the course even if the patient seems well.

Please ask for help if you need it. We all require assistance sometimes - none of us know it all. For the

safety and wellbeing of your patient, always weigh the animal to be medicated and follow the dose

rates and durations precisely.

ANTIBIOTICS Amoxyclav 50mg, Noroclav 50mg, Clavulox 50 mg, Clavulox Palatable Drops, Betamox Palatable

Drops.

Antibiotics are a prescription drug and are to be given to any animal suffering wounds, burns or open

fractures as prescribed by your veterinarian. Antibiotics are used to either prevent or treat bacterial

infections in any part of the body. Antibiotics have a specific purpose in that they kill bacteria but

they will not treat fungal infections. It is possible to get a secondary fungal infection in the same

wound or site as a bacterial infection and visa versa. Fungal infections will require a different

treatment to bacterial infections. Only your veterinarian can positively diagnose and differentiate

between a bacterial or fungal infection. Consult your vet for further advice.

Any breach of skin or membrane presents a potential avenue for bacterial invasion which is why we

use antibiotics as a precaution for all animals off barbed wire and netting. If there is any sign of

infection or the animal is not healing as anticipated after a course of prescribed antibiotics, please


March 2012 97

return to your veterinarian as you may need to administer a longer course of antibiotics. The

antibiotics we use on flying-foxes have proven to be safe and effective when used in accordance with

directions. For accurate dose rates please refer to the medication tables at the end of the manual.

It is always good practice to follow a course of antibiotics with a probiotic yoghurt such as Jalna or to

use Inner Health to maintain and restore good gut flora. This may also help to prevent secondary

fungal infections.

ASPRO CLEAR 300 mg TABLET Aspro Clear is an anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant analgesic. It is most useful in treating swelling,

reducing pain and preventing blood clots after entrapment in fruit tree netting.

We are now also using Aspro Clear to help prevent and minimise membrane necrosis on bats

rescued off barbed wire fences. It is because of its anti-coagulant properties that Aspro Clear must

not be administered to any animal requiring surgery including dental surgery, suffering

suspected or actual bleeding, amputations, head injuries, miscarriage or late-term pregnancy.

Do not use in conjunction with Metacam. Always administer with food and do not use for longer

than 5 days without veterinary supervision. It is important to ensure adequate hydration prior to

administering Asprin as kidney damage may result in dehydrated animals. Please refer to medication

tables for dose rates and restrict use to net caught bats with swelling and barbed wire bats with

membrane damage unless otherwise advised.

A WARNING – Please do not administer Aspro Clear to any animal requiring surgery – even minor

and dental surgery. Animals can and have died after giving Asprin prior to surgery. If in any doubt,

please seek professional advice before administering any Asprin.

CHILDREN’S PANADOL Children's Panadol is the only pain reliever you can give to baby flying-foxes under 300 grams without

prior veterinary advice. Paracetamol does not possess any anti-inflammatory properties and is

therefore to be used as a pain reliever only. Please ensure that your dose rates are precise as this

product can cause liver damage and there is very little margin for error. Use only for a duration of 3-5

days and ensure Panadol is only given to fully hydrated animals. Children's Panadol can be

administered to baby flying-foxes and adults alike for pain relief.

PAINSTOP FOR CHILDREN DAY-TIME PAIN RELIEVER Painstop for Children contains both paracetamol and codeine and is used for moderate to severe pain

in animals over 300 grams. This medication does not have any anti-inflammatory properties and is

therefore used solely as a pain reliever. Never combine pain relievers and only administer to fully

hydrated animals. Do not administer to any animal under 300 grams unless advised to do so by your

vet and adhere strictly to dose rates. Always weigh your animal before administering any medication.

METACAM–THIS ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATION IS PRODUCED IN BOTH DOG AND CAT STRENGTHS. PLEASE NOTE – DOG METACAM CONTAINS THREE TIMES THE RATE OF MELOXICAM THAN CAT METACAM.

Therefore, Cat Metacam doses are to be trebled when using the attached dose charts as prescribed

by your vet. All doses rates listed in this manual are DOG DOSE METACAM. Please be extremely

cautious and check which strength Metacam you have before dosing with this medication and follow

your vets prescribed dose precisely.

The initial dose of Metacam is significantly higher than the maintenance dose so be very careful and

ensure that you are reading the correct column when determining a dose. Your patient’s health and


March 2012 98

survival depends upon your accuracy. Administer for a maximum of 5 consecutive days unless

otherwise directed by your veterinarian.

As it is a prescription drug, you must seek advice from your vet before using Metacam.

Although Metacam provides pain relief, it is not recommended as a general purpose pain reliever. Its

intended and primary use is as an effective anti-inflammatory which prevents bone and cartilage

destruction in both acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders. This medication is most effectively

used in cases where trauma and swelling is present and the animal requires anti-inflammatory

medication.

Do not administer any other pain relieving medication whilst using Metacam and only administer to

fully hydrated bats. Metacam is not to be used in haemorrhaging animals or those suffering from

head injuries. Do not use Aspro Clear in conjunction with Metacam.

TRAMADOL This is an opioid like drug used in human medicine. It comes in liquid form with a minty taste and is

good for severe pain. It can be used in combination with any of the aforementioned pain relievers.

Only your veterinarian can prescribe Tramadol at a dose rate of 0.5-2mg/kilo by mouth once daily.

TEMGESIC Temgesic is an opioid pain reliever for severe pain such as head trauma, fractures or any pain not

responsive to Metacam, Asprin or Painstop. This is a restricted drug and can only be administered by

veterinarians. For bats with severe pain, consider admission to a wildlife hospital for short term

medication.

Sunbaking sunworshippers – babies all flaked out! Photo Marg

Snowden


March 2012 99

Appendix A: Medications and Most Commonly Used Drugs

Information supplied with permission from Dave Pinson and compiled by Denise Wade.

Grey-headed Flying-fox – Illustration Louise Saunders ©


March 2012 100

1. AMOXYCLAV 50, CLAVULOX 50, NOROCLAV 50 Description and Indications

50 mg Tablets. Each of the aforementioned antibiotics contains 40mg Amoxycillin and 10 mg

Clavulanic Acid. This medication is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and it is used to treat most of the

infections we commonly see in flying-foxes. The use of these antibiotics is indicated when bacterial

infections of the respiratory, musculoskeletal, urinary systems or skin with organisms sensitive to the

combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid are suspected and are prescribed by your veterinarian.

Active Dosage

The following chart will provide you with an accurate dose rate and preferred method of

administrating antibiotics.

Mixing and Method of Administration

Crush a 50 mg tablet and mix with cooled pre-boiled water to make up to 5ml of solution. Store in

the fridge in a small bottle. Use a one ml syringe to accurately measure the dose required and then

mix with a small amount of juice. Administer via a pipette or syringe and with food.

Give orally as prescribed by your vet, as follows.

Bodyweight in grams Dosage rate in mls 50 0.06 100 0.13 150 0.19 200 0.25 250 0.31 300 0.38 350 0.44 400 0.50 450 0.56 500 0.63 550 0.69 600 0.75 650 0.81 700 0.88 750 0.94 800 1.00 850 1.06 900 1.13 950 1.19 1000 1.25

You must always give a complete course of antibiotics and never just stop after a couple of days. A

complete course means that you will be giving a measured dose of antibiotic twice per day for 5 to 7

days. If you suspect infection has worsened or is not improving, you must revisit your vet promptly.


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2. ASPRO CLEAR 300mg - Description and Indications

WARNING – - Use ONLY the 300 mg tablet, DO NOT use the 500 mg tablets.

DO NOT use Aspro Clear –

If the bat requires surgery including dental surgery or before or after an amputation

If the animal has suspected or actual internal bleeding. You will require a vet to make this

diagnosis.

If the bat has bleeding wounds – eg. bleeding cuts or open fractures – see your vet.

If the bat has head injuries or suspected concussion

If you are using any other anti-inflammatory drugs including Metacam

The bat must be fully hydrated before administering Aspro Clear. Asprin must be given with food

Do not administer for more than 7 days without veterinary supervision.

Aspro Clear is a soluble effervescent tablet available from supermarkets and pharmacies.

Aspirin has strong analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet properties. We use this medication

predominately for animals rescued from fruit tree netting and barbed wire entrapment. It reduces

swelling, provides pain relief and also helps to prevent death from blood clots as a result of

constriction entrapment. It also helps prevent membrane dieback from barbed wire damage.

This medication must never be mixed or administered with any other anti-coagulant therapy. Do not

use in conjunction with any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs e.g. Metacam. Do not

administer with any cases of actual bleeding, late term pregnancy, miscarriage, suspected internal

bleeding or suspected head injuries (concussion and skull fracture).

Active Dosage & Frequency Give twice daily and always administer with food to prevent gastric ulceration. Duration of therapy is

typically 3 – 5 days or for 48 hours after clinical signs of joint swelling have completely subsided.

Mixing and Method of Administration Dissolve tablet in 30ml of cooled pre-boiled water. When fully dissolved, the solution will turn clear.

Refrigerate the solution and do not store for more than 5 days. Given orally as follows:



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3.CHILDRENS PANADOL (100mg/ml)

Description and Indications

Children's Panadol (1 month to 2 years) can be purchased at the chemist and comes as a cherry and vanilla flavoured liquid. Paracetamol is a widely used analgesic (painkiller) for flying-foxes. It is highly palatable, easy to administer and has thus far yielded no observable side effects. However, it is important that you do not exceed the recommended dose. Paracetamol is primarily indicated for pain management for conditions such as membrane damage, lacerations and minor injuries.

Active Dosage

Panadol should be administered twice daily and is typically used for no more than 3 – 5 days. Only use after the animal is well hydrated.


Given orally from a pipette or syringe or may be mixed with a small amount of juice.

Bodyweight in grams Dosage rate in mls 50 0.01 100 0.02 150 0.02 200 0.03 250 0.04 300 0.05 350 0.05 400 0.06 450 0.07 500 0.08 550 0.08 600 0.09 650 0.10 700 0.11 750 0.11 800 0.12 850 0.13 900 0.14 950 0.14 1000 0.15 N.B. This drug has very little latitude for dosage error therefore; dose rates need to be precise.


March 2012 103

4. BETAMOX PALATABLE DROPS


Only available from a vet, Betamox drops are a broad spectrum antibiotic used to treat infections in baby flying-foxes. It can be used for respiratory tract, urinary tract, eye, ear, skin and wound infections.

Active Dosage

Administer orally twice daily for up to seven days as prescribed by your vet.


The powder should be reconstituted with 12 ml of water to give a 15 ml suspension. This is usually done by the vet. The reconstituted mixture should be stored in the fridge. Shake well before use. Any reconstituted product remaining 7 days after preparation should be discarded. Given orally as follows:



March 2012 104

5. PAINSTOP


Painstop for Children day-time pain reliever syrup contains paracetamol and codeine and is used for moderate to severe pain in flying-fox adults. It can be used for younger bats but only under veterinary supervision. Do not mix with any other pain reliever and give with food after ensuring the animal is well hydrated.

This product can be purchased at a pharmacy. Do not use on bats under 300 grams unless advised by your vet. Always weight the bat before calculating your dose.

Active Dosage

Painstop can be administered 6 hourly preferably with food and please ensure that the bat is well hydrated before and during treatment. Do not use for more than 2 days without veterinary supervision and never administer more than 4 doses in a 24hr period.


Mix with a small amount of juice and offer through a pipette or syringe.

Bodyweight in grams Dosage rate in mls 300 0.18 350 0.21 400 0.24 450 0.27 500 0.30 550 0.33 600 0.36 650 0.39 700 0.42 750 0.45 800 0.48 850 0.51 900 0.54 950 0.57 1000 0.60

N.B. This drug has very little latitude for dosage error therefore; dose rates need to be precise.


March 2012 105

6. METACAM– DOG METACAM DOSE RATES


The bat must be fully hydrated before administering Metacam.

Metacam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat inflammation and pain in both acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders. Metacam is not proven to be an effective agent for primary general-purpose pain relief in flying-foxes but rather, should be used in the treatment of inflammation and swelling associated with trauma. Metacam must not be administered with any other anti-inflammatory drugs – e.g. Aspro Clear. Metacam can have serious adverse effects on the kidneys and must not be given to haemorrhaging bats or those suffering from head injuries. It is therefore imperative that it is not administered until animals are fully hydrated. Do not administer to females in late-stage pregnancy or during lactation. As Metacam is a prescription drug and only available from the vet, you must seek professional advice before using it. Do not use for more than five consecutive days unless instructed by your vet to do so.

If you have CAT METACAM the following dose is to be trebled as cat Metacam contains 0.5mg of Meloxicam per ml as opposed to DOG METACAM which contains 1.5mg of Meloxicam.

Active Dosage

Metacam is given as a once off initial dose of 0.2 mg/kg bodyweight, followed by maintenance does of 0.1 mg/kg bodyweight twice daily for 3 – 5 days.


Given orally with food as follows: The initial dose is a one off dose only.

Bodyweight in grams Dosage rate in mls

INITIAL DOSE ONLY Maintenance doses

50 NR NR 100 0.01 0.01 150 0.02 0.01 200 0.03 0.01 250 0.03 0.02 300 0.04 0.02 350 0.05 0.02 400 0.05 0.03 450 0.06 0.03 500 0.07 0.03 550 0.07 0.04 600 0.08 0.04 650 0.09 0.04 700 0.10 0.05 750 0.10 0.05 800 0.11 0.05 850 0.11 0.06 900 0.12 0.06 950 0.13 0.06 1000 0.13 0.07 N.B. This drug has very little latitude for dosage error therefore; dose rates need to be precise.


March 2012 106

Appendix B: Resources

The Flying-Fox Manual by Dave Pinson

NEW PUBLICATION FOR FLYING-FOX CARERS

THE FLYING-FOX MANUAL

2009 The new updated second edition handbook for wildlife carers involved in the care of orphaned baby, and the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of adult flying-foxes in Australia, by Dave Pinson. For further information, samples and sales: www.stickeebatz.com

This CD is highly recommended by BCB for all care and rehabilitation of flying-foxes.

Queensland Legislation:

Animal Care and Protection Act Management of Urban Flying-fox Colonies, Guidelines Draft: Code of Practice for Care of orphaned, sick or injured protected animals in Queensland Code of Practice Care of orphaned, sick or injuredprotected animals by wildlife care volunteers Nature Conservation Act 1992

Books:

Churchill, S. (1998),Revised Edition (2009) Australian Bats. Reed New Holland. Conder, P. (1994), With Wings on their Fingers – An Intimate View of the Flying-Fox.

Angus & Robertson Eby, P. and Lunney, D. (Eds) (2002), Managing the Grey-Headed Flying-fox as a

threatened species in NSW. Royal Zoological Society of NSW Hall, L. and Richards, G. (2000), Flying-foxes - Fruit and Blossom Bats of Australia.

UNSW Press. Kunz, T. and Fenton, B. (Eds) (2003), Bat Ecology. Uni. of Chicago Press Loller, A. and Schmidt-French, B. (1998), Captive Care and Medical Reference for the

Rehabilitation of Insectivorous Bats. Bat World Publications Menkhost, P. and Knight, F. (2001), A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford

University Press Ratcliffe, F. (1938), Flying-Fox and Drifting Sand: The Adventures of a Biologist in

Australia. Angus and Robertson Strahan, R. (Ed) (1998), The Mammals of Australia. New Holland Publishers

Social Media:

Bat Conservation & Rescue: Twitterhttps://twitter.com/#!/BatConRescueQld

Bat Conservation & Rescue: TwitPichttp://twitpic.com/photos/BatConRescueQld

Facebook: Gilbert the Bathttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Gilbert-the-Bat/49103314022

YouTube: Bat Conservation & Rescue Qldhttp://www.youtube.com/user/BatCareBrisbane?feature=guide

http://www.stickeebatz.com/

http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/A/AnimalCaPrA01.pdf

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/register/p02032aa.pdf

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/wildlife-ecosystems/wildlife/caring_for_wildlife/pdfs/draft-rehab-cop.pdf

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/register/p00066aa.pdf

https://twitter.com/#!/BatConRescueQld

http://twitpic.com/photos/BatConRescueQld

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gilbert-the-Bat/49103314022

http://www.youtube.com/user/BatCareBrisbane?feature=guide


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Web Resources www.bats.org.au

http://www.qwrc.org.au/

http://www.wildlife.org.au/

http://www.tolgabathospital.org/

http://www.wildlifefriendlyfencing.com/

http://www.sydneybats.org.au/

http://www.batcon.org/

http://www.lubee.org/kidsbatcamp.aspx

http://www.batcall.csu.edu.au/abs/absmain.htm

http://www.bellingen.com/flyingfoxes/

http://www.landcare.org.au/

http://www.austrop.org.au/

http://www.batrescue.org.au

www.dontshootbats.com

www.gonebatty.com.au

http://www.allaboutbats.

http://www.hollowloghomes.com.au/

http://users.bigpond.net.au/ozbox/

Screening of Bat Carers for antibodies to Equine Morbillivirus:

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/1996%20issues-

1/$FILE/cdi2022b.pdf

Warm a Pet Heat pads:

http://www.warmapet.com.au/frameset.htm

Guide to Community Grants:

http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/sp/spgrants.htm

Action Plan for Bats – federal:

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/action/bats/5.html

This is the current national policy/response document about ABLV. See at http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/programs/eadp/ausvetplan/ausvetplan home.cfmIt documents the basis for how agencies should respond to ABLV – taking into consideration of course any new information or developments and the particular circumstances of each incident

“Living with Flying-foxes” published by Q Health, prepared by Dr Carol Booth and Louise Saunders readapted from “Living with Bats”

http://www.health.qld.gov.au/ph/documents/cdb/livingwithflyingfoxes.pdf

http://www.bats.org.au/

http://www.lubee.org/kidsbatcamp.aspx

http://www.batcall.csu.edu.au/abs/absmain.htm

http://www.bellingen.com/flyingfoxes/

http://www.batrescue.org.au/

http://users.bigpond.net.au/ozbox/

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/1996%20issues-

http://www.warmapet.com.au/frameset.htm

http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/sp/spgrants.htm

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/action/bats/5.html

http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/programs/eadp/ausvetplan/ausvetplan

http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/programs/eadp/ausvetplan/ausvetplan

http://www.health.qld.gov.au/ph/documents/cdb/livingwithflyingfoxes.pdf


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Appendix C: Contacts, Bat Conservation & Rescue Qld. Inc. Committee Contacts:

[email protected] 0488 228 134;

(07) 3821 2341 b/h only.

[email protected]

[email protected] [email protected]

Team Leaders:




[email protected]

Rehab & Baby Coordinators

[email protected] Denise Wade, 3341 6763; 0428 41 2763

[email protected] Trish Goodwin 3286 3708;

RESCUE HELP LINE: 0488 228 134

After reading this manual we hope you will have a better

understanding of your responsibilities to the animals you

rescue and care for, as well as your responsibilities to our

organisation. As a young organisation with so much

important work ahead of us – welfare, education and

conservation – the Committee urge you to be active in

and remain loyal to Bat Conservation and Rescue Qld. We

ask that you respect and follow our guidelines, join in

whenever and where ever possible and enjoy being part

of our happy, batty family.

Appendix D: Australian Bat Lyssavirus, Further reading.

Australian Bat Lyssavirus, Veterinary Social Seminars\Handout for

Wildlife Vet Social Science 2012By Dr Janine Barrett, Biosecurity Qld.

Working Documents&Forms

Accident Incident Report Form

Membership Form & By-Laws

Microbat/Flying-fox Report Form











