Improving Treatments for Wing Injuries of Bats, Order Chiroptera

Abstract

Limited research is available to guide rehabilitators in treating injured Australian wildlife, particularly Chiroptera where wing injuries often result in euthanasia. Prior to carrying out treatment experiments, the standard mammalian skin anatomy and healing physiology, and, any specialised information relating to chiropteran wings and injuries were reviewed. Treatments were tested on wing abrasions, bruises and blisters of 'Pteropus poliocephalus' (grey-headed flying-foxes) which had been accidentally injured (typically from entanglement in loose netting or barbed wire). 300 injuries were randomly assigned across seven treatment groups and the results analysed for healing success and rate in achieving key "points": 'Resolution of Inflammation', 'Completion of Granulation' and combined (total healing).