My cat caught a bat. Its wing is injured. How can I help it fly?

Thanks for reaching out about this little bird. Often cat attacks are fatal for birds, as there are some pretty bad bacteria in the mouths and claws of cats. If this little bird is still in your possession, I would recommend contacting a wildlife rehabber in your area to see if they would be able to treat it with antibiotics and then rehabilitate it while its feathers grow back. Without its feathers, it makes it very difficult for birds to keep warm, even in warmer climates. If some of the tail feathers are missing, it can make it difficult for them to fly appropriately as well. To find wildlife rehabilitators in your area, you can search the NWRA website or the California wildlife rehabilitators group as well. Additionally, you may be able to contact a veterinarian who is comfortable seeing birds as they may have contacts for wildlife rehabilitators in the area as well. I hope this gives you a place to start, and thank you for caring about this wild bird!

This looks very concerning. I would take Batman to a veterinarian for an exam. This looks very bad for an abscess cavity, very swollen and will need to be flushed and inspected for a foreign body or even more infection, the hair around the abscess will need to be shaved. Batman will also need antibiotics and possibly pain medicine and considering the climate you live in , this wound may need to be covered to keep flies from laying eggs into it.

Thanks for reaching out about your rescued bird. By the photos, he appears very depressed and weak. A veterinary clinic or wildlife rehabilitation society should be contacted. Provide heat support in the 80-85 F range, offer water via a small syringe. Only chance is to try and nurse back to health. Good luck.

It would be best to try and get your bird into a vet as soon as you can. In the meantime, cleaning any wounds and keeping them free of dirt and debris, and keeping your bird from pecking at it can help prevent infection of the wounds. Keeping your bird warm, with low perches in case he falls, and easy access to food and water may also help until he can get into your vet.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Chiko. This would count as a rabies exposure until it is now if the bat is rabid or not. Do not handle the bat, contact animal control. If you still have the bat or know where it is, it can be submitted for testing. I recommend that Chiko sees his veterinarian today. Laws can vary between states, but he will likely require a rabies booster and a quarantine period. If you touched the bat at all, you will need to contact your family physician to determine if treatment is required for you or anyone in your family. I hope this information helps!

Unfortunately most of the times they can die if not checked and have intense nutritional support. I would recommend to have her checked by your local veterinarian and discuss the best course of action. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation (where you can post pictures ) if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

If Dhalu has been attacked by a cat it would be best to seek veterinary care in person immediately. A vet may need to stop any bleeding, fix the wing (or amputate it if it's been badly harmed), and provide medications or other treatments as needed depending on the severity of the attack and any internal or external injuries. Keeping the bird warm and calm in a hospital cage until you can get to your vet is best.