Treatment Updates for the Rehabilitation of Insectivorous Bats

© Bat World Sanctuary, 2005. Reproduction prohibited without permission.
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TABLE II - Medication Chart for Insectivorous Bats

Recent Updates:
 

6/8/09- Added OraVet for tarter control
 
HOW TO USE THIS PAGE:
 Links within the text provide additional details about the medications and
where they might be purchased. Medications marked Rx require a prescription.
Definition of routes: PO = by mouth; SQ = Subcutaneous injection.
Definition of Frequency: SID = once daily; BID = twice daily;
TID = 3 times daily; QID = 4 times daily.

NOTE: The use of all medications in bats is extra-label drug use and no claims can be made as to the efficacy or safety of these dosages.  Recommended dosages for some medications are significantly higher per body weight than those used for other mammals.
 CAREFULLY READ PACKAGE INSERTS FOR ALL MEDICATIONS
THE MEDICATIONS LISTED BELOW ARE BASED ON A BAT WEIGHING 10 GRAMS
UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. SCALE UP OR DOWN ACCORDINGLY.
ELECTROLYTES Dose/g  body wt DOSAGE DURATION WARNING
Lactated
Ringers Solution (LRS) Rx
Electrolyte Solution

NA

 

 See  HYDRATION.

Pups up to 5 grams:
0.50 to 1.0ml
Adults:
1.0 to 3.0ml		 Until bat is fully hydrated. See 
HYDRATION

 

 Avoid over hydration. Excess fluids can accumulate in the head, neck, and wrists, causing discomfort. 
ANTIBIOTICS Dose/g  body wt DOSAGE DURATION WARNING
AMOXICILLIN Rx
Oral Suspension,
50mg
 		 0.005ml/g 0.05ml PO, BID 14 to 30 days Amoxicillin may be given with or without food. It is safe to use on pregnant bats.
BAYTRIL® Rx 
Injectable Solution
(Enrofloxacin 2.27%)

 

PO:
0.0001ml/g

SQ:
0 .001-  
0.002ml/g

 PO:
Mix 0.25ml Baytril® with 1ml of fruit juice. Administer 0.05ml BID.

0.01 to 0.02ml SQ, SID. Mix 0.01 to 0.02ml with 0.25ml LRS to lessen sting and aid in hydration.

 		 PO: 10 to 14 days

SQ:
7 to 10 days

 

 

 

DO NOT ADMINISTER SQ TO OLDER BATS. ADMINISTER ORALLY INSTEAD.

Because Baytril has caused lesions in the joints during stages of rapid growth in some animals, it should only be administered to pups, or pregnant or lactating females if the condition is life threatening.
CLAVAMOX® Drops Rx
(Amoxicillin trihydrate/ Clavulanate potassium)

When reconstituted,
each ml contains 50mg amoxicillin as the
trihydrate and 12.5mg
of clavulanic acid as
potassium salt. 		 0.005 ml/g

 

 Reconstitute with 14ml water. Administer 0.05ml PO, BID. 14 to 30 days (Continue for 48 hours after bat is asymptomatic.) Keep refrigerated. Discard after ten days. Do not use if mixture becomes discolored.
CLAVAMOX® Drops Rx
(Amoxicillin trihydrate/   Clavulanate potassium)
mixed with BAYTRIL® Rx (Enrofloxacin Injectable Solution,  2.27%)		 0.005 ml/g

 

 Reconstitute Clavamox® with 14ml water. Add 0.05ml Clavamox® to 1.0ml Baytril® and   administer 0.05ml PO, BID. 14 to 21 days (Continue for 48 hours after bat is asymptomatic.) Because Baytril has caused lesions in the joints during stages of rapid growth in some animals, it should only be administered to pups, or pregnant or lactating females if the condition is life threatening.
Keep refrigerated. Do not use if mixture becomes discolored.
CLINDAMYCIN
(hydrochloride Rx
300mg/2ml)
Injectable solution		 0.0005ml/g

 

 0.005ml SQ, BID. Mix 0.01ml Clindamycin with
0.49ml LRS. Inject 0.25ml of the mixture BID.		 14 to 30 days

May cause diarrhea in nursing pups if given to lactating females.

DOXYCYCLINE Rx 
Capsules
(Vibramycin, 50mg) 

Capsules compounded
with 30 ml of sweet
flavoring such as
bubblegum.

0.003ml/g

 

0.03ml PO, BID

 21 days

Administer with food. Do not administer to pregnant or lactating females unless Chlamydophila is   suspected.

KEFLEX® Rx
Oral Suspension     
(Cephalexin
250mg/5ml)		 0.005ml/g To reconstitute, mix 5ml (one tsp) water with  8gm (one tsp) Keflex® and administer 0.05ml PO, BID. 14 to 30 days  
KEFLEX® Rx                            
Oral Suspension         (Cephalexin, 250mg/5ml)
mixed with           
BAYTRIL® Rx              Injectable Solution
(Enrofloxacin, 2.27%) 		0.005ml/g

 

 Mix 0.25ml Baytril® with 3.0ml reconstituted Keflex® (see above).  Administer 0.05ml PO, BID. 10 to 14 days

 

 Because Baytril has caused lesions in the joints during stages of rapid growth in some animals, it should only be administered to pups, or pregnant or lactating females if the condition is life threatening.
Keep refrigerated.
PANMYCIN®
AQUADROPS Rx
(Tetracycline,
100mg/ml)		 0.005ml/g 0.05ml PO, BID. 14 to 30 days Do not give with  calcium-containing foods such as milk formula or yogurt. Do not give with other medications. Can cause fetal abnormalities. Do not administer to pregnant or lactating females unless Chlamydophila is   suspected.
NOTE: One red bat death has been reported in conjunction with tetracycline therapy. Use with caution in foliage-roosting species (i.e., genus Lasiurus)
 ANTIFUNGALS Dose/g  body wt DOSAGE DURATION WARNING

GRIFULVIN V® Rx                   Oral Suspension
(Griseofulvin,
125mg/5ml)

0.005ml/g

0.05 ml PO, BID.

6 weeks
NOTE: Important to continue treatment for entire 6 week period. 

Do not administer to pregnant bats, bats suspected of liver disease or bats that are sensitive to penicillin.

NYSTATIN 0.005ml/g 0.05ml PO, BID Until yeast is no longer cultured in fecal smears. May cause diarrhea and vomiting when administered in high doses.
NOVALSAN® Solution
(Chlorhexidine diacetate)
 		   Flush affected areas twice a day. Until injury is healed.  
ANTIPARASITICS Dose/g  body wt DOSAGE DURATION WARNING

ALBON Rx               
Oral Suspension 5%
(Sulfadimethoxine,
50mg/kg)

0.002ml/g

0.02ml PO, SID

7 to 10 days
(Continue for 48 hours after bat is asymptomatic.)

 
PANACUR Rx
Granules
(Fenbendazole,
222mg/gm)
 0.005ml/g Dissolve 1gm granules in 30 ml water. Give 0.05ml PO, SID. 5 days Do not administer with Dibromsalan, Tribromsalan, or other flukicides. May be given with Albon.
VALBAZEN RX
Oral Suspension 5%
(Sulfadimethoxine 50mg/kg)		 0.0004ml/g 0.007 ml PO, SID. 3 days Do not administer to pregnant bats.
REVOLUTION® Rx
(Selamectin)
Kitten dose		   0.005ml applied directly onto the skin between the shoulders. Dose once Do not use on sick, weak or underweight bats.
ANESTHETICS Dose/g  body wt DOSAGE DURATION WARNING
ISOFLURANE Rx
(Inhalant Anesthetic)

For use during surgical procedures or euthanasia.		  NA Anesthesia:
Click here to access a PDF file

Euthanasia:
Click here to access a PDF file		 Anesthesia: Click here to access a PDF file

Euthanasia:
Click here to access a PDF file		 ANESTHESIA:
Isoflurane is not significantly metabolized, therefore, toxic metabolites are not produced.
TELAZOL® Rx
(Tiletamine
hydrochloride)		   DO NOT USE NA CAN CAUSE SEVERE ADVERSE REACTIONS LEADING TO DEATH
KETAMINE Rx        hydrochloride   DO NOT USE  

CAN CAUSE SEVERE ADVERSE REACTIONS ILEADING TO DEATH
ANALGESICS Dose/g  body wt DOSAGE DURATION WARNING
CETACAINE (Rx)
Topical gel

 		  

 

 

 Apply a small amount directly to the site where pain control is required.
 		 Local anesthesia occurs within 30 seconds and lasts 30 to 60 minutes. Do not use in the eyes. Localized allergic reactions may occur after prolonged or repeated use.
METACAM® 
Oral Suspension
(Meloxicam,
1.5mg/ml)

Honey flavored,
non-steroidal,
anti-inflammatory
drug (NSAID).		 0.002ml/g

 

 

 0.02ml PO, BID. 1 to 3 days       
Do not administer for more than three days.
Note: Use with caution. This drug has caused  fatalities in cats when given for more than 3 days. 		Do not use in conjunction with Dexamethasone, aspirin or any other NSAID drug as intestinal bleeding may result.
BUPRENEX Rx
Injectable
Buprenorphine
(0.3mg/ml)		 0.0001mg/g 0.02 PO, BID. May be applied to the gums to be absorbed through mucous membrane. Up to 5 days  
KETOPROPHEN Rx
Injectable solution
(100mg/ml)
(NSAID)
 		 0.02ml SQ. Mix 0.02 with 0.25ml LRS to aid in hydration One dose only.   Do not use in conjunction with Dexamethasone, aspirin or any other NSAID drug as toxicity may result.
BABY ASPIRIN
(acetylsalicylic acid,
81mg)
NOTE: Do not give
bats acetaminophen
(Tylenol), ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium.		 0.001 to 0 .005mg/g Crush 1 baby aspirin to powder, then dissolve in 0.5ml water.  Administer 0.01 to 0.05ml PO, BID. 1 to 7 days Do not use in conjunction with Dexamethasone, aspirin or any other NSAID drug.
TRANQUILIZERS Dose/g  body wt DOSAGE DURATION WARNING
ACE/TORBUGESIC® Rx
(Acepromazine 10mg/ml:
butorphanol 2mg/ml)
 

 

 0.008ml/g Mix 0.05ml Acepromazine with 0.05ml Torbugesic® and 9.8ml LRS. Administer 0.08ml SQ. Re-dose in 20 minutes if needed. Every 4 to 6 hours. Do not use for more than 24 hours.
Do not administer with Dexamethasone. Use with in OLDER BATS.
 

DIAZEPAM

   DO NOT USE NA

CAN CAUSE SEVERE ADVERSE REACTIONS INCLUDING DEATH
TranquiVed™  Rx               Xylazine
(Injectable Solution, 20mg/ml)

For euthanasia only.

 

 0.01ml/g 0.1 ml mixed with 0.5ml LRS, SQ. Warm fluids before injecting. NOTE: Administer  Ace/
Torbugesic about 20 minutes before administering Xylazine.		 NA Do not use for sedation. May be used for euthanasia when isoflurane or halothane are not available.
ANTISEPTICS Dose/g  body wt DOSAGE DURATION WARNING
MANUKA HONEY   Apply topically to the would and surrounding tissue. Until injury is healed. 

NOTE: Do not clean hardened layers of Manuka honey from the wound as it acts as a protective bandage. Instead, apply additional honey as needed to keep the wound covered.  		Do not apply Manuka honey to abscesses. 
NOVALSAN ®
Solution
(chlorhexidine
diacetate) 		NA Dilute with water to 10% (1 part Novalsan to 9 parts water). Flush affected areas twice a day. Twice daily until healing is complete.  
         
ORAVET PLAQUE
PREVENTION GEL  
 		 NA Use a cotton swab to apply a thin layer of gel
to the teeth.		 Apply once weekly to control plaque and tartar.  
DIURETIC Dose/g  body wt DOSAGE DURATION WARNING
LASIX Rx                 (Injectable
Solution)
(Furosemide,
12.5mg)
 		 0.001ml/g 0.01ml PO One dose only Do not administer to dehydrated bats
CORTICOSTEROID Dose/g  body wt DOSAGE DURATION WARNING
DEXAMETHASONE Rx (Injectable Solution
2mg/ml)
 		 0.003ml/g

 

 Mix 0.03ml Dexamethasone with 0.25ml LRS and administer SQ, BID. 2 to 7 days. If given for more than 3 days, dose should be tapered as follows:
If given for 4 days, give SID on day 4; if given for
5 days, give SID on days 4 and 5; if given for 6 days, give SID on days 4 and 5, and 0.1ml on day 6; if given for 7 days, give SID on days 4 and 5, and 0.1ml on days 6 and 7.		 May cause excessive thirst and urination. Do not use in conjunction with Metacam or aspirin as intestinal bleeding may result. Administer to older bats only if the he severity of the condition warrants it. Injections can cause immediate fatal heart attacks in bats over 8 years of age.
SUPPLEMENTS Dose/g  body wt DOSAGE DURATION WARNING
VITAL® Powder NA Mix 1 part Vital to 2 parts water. Administer as much as the bat will drink QID. For 24 hours, then switch to blended mealworm mixture. Can result in diarrhea if used in excess. As soon as improvement is noted, switch to blended mealworm mixture.

CALSORB® Gel,
Calcium 170mg/ml 

 

   For pups and adults: 0.02 to 0.04ml PO, SID.
Note:
Medication is bitter. Administer with a small amount of honey or sugar to mask the taste.		 1 to 2 doses only

 

OSTEOFORM
 

   Add 1g (1/4 tsp) to each tbsp of dry milk replacement formula. For juveniles, add 1 gram (1/4 tsp) to 3ml of blended mealworm mixture. 7 to 10 days

 
DENOSYL
Tablets
(S-Adenosylmethionine 90mg)		 0.005ml/g  Dissolve one 90mg Denosyl® tablet in 5.0ml water. Slip the brown coating off the tablet as soon as it has softened. Continue dissolving the tablet in the water. When completely dissolved,  administer
0.05ml PO BID NOTE: The dissolved tablet is bitter so it may need to be mixed with fruit juice or food before giving it to the bat. For optimal absorption, dose should be given on an empty stomach.		 10 to 14 days

 

 

 

  
PET-TINIC®
Iron supplement
Iron supplement		 0.005ml/g 0.05ml PO, BID Until improvement is observed.  
 VACCINE Dose/g  body wt DOSAGE DURATION WARNING
Imrab 3™ is the
rabies vaccine of
choice, although
other vaccines have
been used.

Please see
our Position
Statement on
vaccinating
insectivorous bats.		 Adults and pups:
0.01ml/g
 

 

 0.1ml SQ for bats weighing 2 to 35g. One dose  
ANTI-GAS Dose/g  body wt DOSAGE DURATION WARNING
SIMETHICONE
Drops		 0.003 to 0.005ml/g 0.03 to 0.05ml PO every 2 hours as needed. 24 to 48 hours  
BENE-BAC GEL or
LA 200
 		   For bloat in pups: Add 0.05ml Bene-Bac™ to every 5ml of reconstituted milk formula. During antibiotic treatment: administer 0.04ml PO, SID. As needed for bloat.

Until antibiotic treatment is complete.

 		  
OTHER Dose/g  body wt DOSAGE DURATION WARNING
RESCUE REMEDY .001ml/g 0.01ml PO As needed to calm Do not administer to sick or weak bats.
No statement made on the Bat World web site shall be construed as permission or recommendation to handle bats. The content provided is intended for use by vaccinated individuals in possession of appropriate licenses and permits. Information regarding health and safety precautions may not be adequate for all individuals and/or situations. It is the users obligation to follow the recommendations of medical professionals and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
 

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