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PUFF |
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Click photo to
enlarge |
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 Every
summer we rescue dozens of orphans from our wild sanctuary. Most
are emaciated, some are injured, and every great once in a while
we get a case that seems to defy description. Such was the case
with Puff.
On a routine check for orphans last July, the pup was spotted
wedged inside a thin crack between the rocks that form the south
wall of
our wild sanctuary building. At first glance it appeared
to be the carcass of a pup, but after reaching in to extract it
from the only opening visible between the jagged rocks, it’s
body moved. After several grueling minutes the trapped pup was
freed without causing injury and she was rushed back to the bat
hospital at Bat World Sanctuary headquarters. |
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The tiny pup’s torso had filled with air, most likely from a
punctured lung. Injuries of this type have been seen in micro-bats
before but never to this extent. Puff’s back was bruised, but
thankfully there was no outside puncture wound. Because of this we
speculated the lung injury was caused during a fall. A fall hard
enough to bruise her back could have easily resulted in a punctured
lung. Escaping air then filled her body wall.
Punctured lungs sometimes seal on their own and the
lungs will re-inflate. Puff was one of the lucky ones.
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 To
treat Puff, we applied topical anesthetic to her skin and the air
was expelled from her body using a large gauge needle (above).
Within minutes her torso deflated and,
aside from the loose skin, her body appeared normal. After the
procedure oxygen was administered with a small hose to help her
breathe. |
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 Three
days later Puff appeared completely normal. Eight weeks later she
was full grown and flying well enough to be released back into
our
wild sanctuary with her original colony.
We hope Puff remains safe long into the future, and
the only air that touches her skin will be the air of the night sky. |
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