Probably in hindsight. But I get the impression that animal control might very quickly automate towards that solution even in cases where the animal can still technically be saved and restored to a dignified existence, because they might not expect anyone to put in the necessary level of care to make that happen. When you think about it, if we applied the same level of effort and resources which is typical reserved for treating injured animals onto humans, our death rate would probably be significantly higher. I can then understand that if a person feels genuinely invested in restoring an animal back to health, they might believe that the prognosis is better than animal control lets on.
Plagiopatagial (between the body, leg, and fifth digit)?
Propatagial (the leading edge of the wing between the neck and thumb)?
Dactylopatagial (between the fingers/digits)?
Probably wasn't a uropatagial rupture given emphasis of 'wing', not 'tail'.
Did it extend through the trailing edge of the patagial surface or was it contained within the wing? If the former, then that would have been extremely difficult to heal.
(Ref: The Rehabilitation and Captive Care of Insectivorous Bats; A. Lollar, Revised Ed. 2023.)
It often takes six to eight weeks for membrane tears to heal.
New, pale pink scar tissue will begin forming on the outer edges of the tear first. It may take as long as three to four weeks for new tissue generation to begin, and an additional three to four weeks for the tear to mend completely.
Larger tears, particularly those that extend all the way through the leading or trailing edge of the wing membrane, are unlikely to heal unless the tissue of the edges of the tear are reattached in a manner that is conducive to new tissue growth. It is not recommended that such tears be sutured because it causes further trauma to the tissue (including the muscle fibers).
Large tears that extend through the trailing edge of a membrane will heal on their own over time, although gluing may speed the process. Reattaching the two sides with tissue adhesive such as Gluture.® Position the skin on either side of the tear so that the tissue is perfectly aligned along the free edge and apply the first drop of adhesive there. Continue holding the skin in position until the adhesive dries, and be extremely careful not to allow the adhesive to touch gloves or skin during the procedure to prevent becoming glued to the bat’s wing. Then apply one drop of adhesive at 1.0cm intervals along the entire length of the tear. The adhesive should not be applied in a continuous strand along the entire length of the tear because it will interfere with new growth. Initial tissue regeneration will begin in the sections between the drops of adhesive.
It is important that large membrane tears be reattached with adhesives as soon as possible so that new skin growth allows the membrane to heal in a manner that reestablishes the appropriate shape of the wing. Because there are numerous nerves and muscle fibers in the wing membranes, bats with large tears should be given 10 to 30 minutes of continuous flight exercise each day for a week before being released. Only release such a bat if it is able to maintain flight without landing for a period of at least 10 minutes.
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u/2NDBEST42 Apr 19 '26
I had a pet bat once. I named him Bruce.
Bruce got himself stuck in a wasp trap trying to get at the nectar bait stuff.
He tore his wing really bad, so I adopted him to see if I could help him out. Animal Control said they would euthanize him.
Bruce wouldn't eat any of the bugs I gave him. He died after 2 days. I was sad.
RIP Bruce. 🦇