Bat veterinary drugs and dosages

Veterinary Drugs & Dosages Table

Bat

THIS SECTION IS INTENDED AS A REFERENCE FOR VETERINARY SURGEONS ONLY

Any medications dispensed or administered, or procedures performed, should only be by or under order of a qualified, licensed veterinary surgeon.
Given the current scarcity of drugs licensed for use in wildlife, the responsible use of the cascade system is recommended.
Drug information and dosages are derived from a variety of sources (see references), and do not necessarily guarantee safety or efficacy.

ANTIBIOTICS ANALGESICS & ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES ANAESTHETICS & SEDATIVES ANTHELMENTICS FLUIDS OTHER

ANTIBIOTICS

DRUG	DOSE ml/g	Practical administrative DOSE	ROUTE	DIRECTIONS	WARNINGS
(Amoxicillin trihydrate/ Clavulanate potassium) (Clavamox® Drops Rx)	0.005ml/g	0.05ml	PO	Reconstitute with 14ml water. BID for 14 to 30 days. (Continue for 48 hours after bat is asymptomatic.)	Keep refrigerated. Discard after ten days. Do not use if mixture becomes discoloured.
Amoxycillin (Oral Suspension, 50mg )	0.005ml/g	0.05ml	PO	BID for 14 to 30 days	Respiratory infections, skin infections, enteritis
Cephalexin 250mg/5ml Oral Suspension	0.005ml/g	0.05ml	PO	Mix 5ml water with 8g (one tsp) Cephalexin. BID for 14 to 30 days	Keep refrigerated
Clindamycin (Antirobe) (300mg/2ml)	0.0005ml/g	0.005ml	SC	BID for 14 to 30 days	May cause diarrhoea in nursing pups if given to lactating females.
		0.25ml	SC	Mix 0.01ml Clindamycin with 0.49ml LRS. BID for 14 to 30 days
Enrofloxacin (Baytril 2.27%)	SC: 0.001- 0.002ml/g	0.01 to .02ml	SC	Mix 0.02 to 0.04ml with 0.25ml LRS to lessen sting and aid in hydration. SID, for 7 to 10 days	Only give PO to adult bats. Do NOT give to pups / lactating females UNLESS life threatening situation – joint lesions
	PO: 0.0001ml/g	0.05ml	PO	Mix 0.25ml Baytril with 1ml of fruit juice BID for 10 to 14 days
Tetracycline 100mg/ml	0.005ml/g	0.05ml	PO	BID for 14 to 30 days	Do not give with other medications or calcium-containing foods such as milk formula or yogurt. Do not administer to pregnant or lactating females unless Chlamydophila is suspected.

ANALGESICS & ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES

DRUG	DOSE ml/g	Practical administrative DOSE	ROUTE	DIRECTIONS	WARNINGS
Buprenorphine 0.3mg/ml (Temgesic/Vetergesic)	0.0001mg/g	0.02ml	PO	May be applied to the gums to be absorbed through mucous membrane. BID for up to 5 days
Carprofen (Rimadyl/Zenecarp) *1	2-4mg/kg		SC	Dilute with water
Dexamethasone (Injectable Solution 2mg/ml)	0.003ml/g	Warm fluids before injecting. See directions for dose	SC	Mix 0.03ml dex with 0.25ml LRS and administer entire dose. BID for 2 - 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 give 0.1ml on day 6; if given for 7 days, give SID on days 4 and 5, and give 0.1ml on days 6	May cause excessive thirst and urination. Do not use in conjunction with metacam or aspirin – intestinal bleeding. Administer to older bats only if the severity of the condition warrants it. Injections can cause immediate fatal heart attacks in bats over 8 years of age.
Meloxicam 1.5mg/ml (Metacam)	0.002ml/g	0.02ml	PO	BID for 1 to 3 days. Do not administer for more than three days	Do not use in conjunction with dexamethasone, ketoprophen, aspirin or any other NSAID drug as intestinal bleeding may result.

ANAESTHETICS & SEDATIVES

DRUG	DOSE ml/g	Practical administrative DOSE	ROUTE	DIRECTIONS	WARNINGS
(Acepromazine 10mg/ml: butorphanol 2mg/ml)	0.008ml/g	0.08ml	SC	Mix 0.05ml acepromazine with 0.05ml torbugesic and 9.8ml LRS. Re-dose in 20 minutes if needed. Give every 4 to 6 hours. Do not use for more than 24 hours	Do not administer with dexamethasone, aspirin, or any other NSAID drug. USE WITH CAUTION in older bats
Diazepam (Valium)	DO NOT USE!				CAN CAUSE SEVERE ADVERSE REACTIONS LEADING TO DEATH
Isoflurane					ANESTHESIA: Isoflurane is not significantly metabolized, therefore, toxic metabolites are not produced. Use with caution to avoid over anaesthesia resulting in death. Do not feed bats for 3 hours before or after anaesthesia.
Ketamine	DO NOT USE!				CAN CAUSE SEVERE ADVERSE REACTIONS LEADING TO DEATH

ANTHELMENTICS

DRUG	DOSE ml/g	Practical administrative DOSE	ROUTE	DIRECTIONS	WARNINGS
Fenbendazole (Panacur) (222mg/gm)	0.005ml/g	0.05ml	PO	Dissolve 1g granules in 30ml water. SID for 5 days	Do not administer with dibromsalan, tribromsalan, or other flukicides.
Griseofulvin (125mg/5ml)	0.005ml/g	0.05 ml	PO	BID for 6 weeks. NOTE: Important to continue treatment for entire 6 week period.	Ringworm. Do not administer to pregnant bats, bats suspected of liver disease, or bats sensitive to penicillin
Selamectin (Kitten dose)		0.005ml	Apply directly onto the skin of the tail membrane	Single dose	Do not use on sick, weak, or underweight bats

FLUIDS *1

DRUG	DOSE ml/g	Practical administrative DOSE	ROUTE	DIRECTIONS	WARNINGS
Lactated Ringers Solution (LRS)		Pups up to 5g: 0.5 - 1ml Adults: 1 - 3ml	SC	Until bat is fully hydrated.	Avoid over hydration. Excess fluids can accumulate in the head, neck, and wrists, causing discomfort.

OTHER *1

DRUG	DOSE ml/g	Practical administrative DOSE	ROUTE	DIRECTIONS	WARNINGS
Calcium supplement
EfaCoat Oil
Frusimide (lasix 5%)	0.001ml/g	0.01ml	PO	Single dose	DO NOT ADMINISTER TO DEHYDRATED BATS
Iron supplement
Pentobarbital sodium (Pentobarbital), isoflurane, xylazine				See ‘Euthanasia’ in vet section	Euthanasia

References
‘Diagnostic and Treatment Update for the Rehabilitation of Insectivorous Bats’, Bat World Sanctuary, Texas
*1 Practical Wildlife Care, Second Edition, Les Stocker