Plus-Hex CLINICAL
measure, the bat should be rehydrated before attempts are made to remove the substance. A few drops of water can be given from a pipette, which may be enough to address dehydration.
Water-soluble contaminants should be removed with mild soap, applied to the affected area using a makeup sponge or paintbrush, then rinsed off with clean water. Put the bat in a container with a heat mat to dry off, before repeating the process if necessary. Oilbased substances can be removed with margarine or butter, then a mild soap can be used to remove the grease. The bat should then be rinsed off and dried as described above.
Figure 7. A hole in a wing( top), and when it had healed( bottom).
Fly paper can be a common problem for bats( Figure 9). In these cases, cut away as much of the paper as possible to prevent the bat from getting stuck further. Margarine or olive oil can be used to remove the sticky residue, then washed off as described above. It is important to keep the bat warm between baths.
Figure 8. Subcutaneous emphysema.
Figure 9. A common pipistrelle stuck on fly paper( resting on top of white cardboard).
Fractures
For bats with major bone fractures, euthanasia should be considered. The prognosis for compound fractures is poor and no amputee would be fit for release. Simple fractures may heal, if bone movement is restricted; a local bat carer should be contacted for advice in these cases.
Contamination
It is not unusual for a bat to end up trapped in or covered with a sticky substance. It may not be known how long the bat has been restricted, so, as a first aid
Ectoparasites
A few mites and occasional fleas are to be expected on bats, whereas ticks are less commonly found. Physically remove fleas, mites and bat bugs( parasitic blood-sucking insects) with tweezers or a damp fine paintbrush.
A small amount of Frontline spray can be applied to the nape of the bat ' s neck( adult bats only). This is done by spraying Frontline into a small container and then using a small paintbrush to apply the product to the nape of the bat ' s neck [ 11 ].
Volume 41( 1) • February 2026
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