‘Wing Wasting’ and Red Light Therapy: A Bat Rehabilitation Story.

At Photizo, we’re often amazed and inspired by the variety of ways our light therapy devices are being used to support healing—not just in humans, but in animals too. One recent case that truly highlights the powerful potential of Photobiomodulation (PBM) comes from the dedicated team at Bat Rehabilitation Ireland, who used the Photizo Vetcare Silent device to help save the delicate wing of a tiny, but very lucky, bat.

A Fragile Arrival

The patient? A male common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), one of the UK and Ireland’s smallest and most widespread bat species. Sadly, he arrived into care in a severely compromised state—emaciated and suffering from extreme dehydration.

Dehydration in bats is particularly dangerous. Unlike other mammals, bats rely on the thin, delicate skin of their wing membrane (patagium) for flight, thermoregulation, and even water balance. When a bat becomes dehydrated, the patagium quickly starts to suffer. The skin loses elasticity, appears dull, and becomes fragile, often developing wet patches that can spread, lose pigmentation, and begin to slough off—a condition sometimes referred to as wing wasting.

If left untreated, this deterioration can quickly escalate. Painful blisters can form along the bones of the fingers, and the bat may be at serious risk of infection, further dehydration, and ultimately death.

Before / during treatment

A Race Against Time

Upon admittance, this pipistrelle’s right wing membrane had already started sloughing off—a serious sign. The team immediately sprang into action with emergency fluid therapy, delivering subcutaneous fluids to help rehydrate his system.

The affected wing was gently cleaned and treated with Flamazine—a sterile antibacterial cream containing silver sulfadiazine, which helps prevent infection in damaged tissue. After the Flamazine was applied, it was flushed with saline to remove any residue.

Then, the team introduced Photizo Red Light Therapy into his treatment plan.

Introducing Photizo to the Healing Process

Using the Photizo Silent device, the team began Photizo sessions five times a week, with each session lasting just one minute.

Red Light Therapy works by stimulating the cells natural healing processes, promoting better circulation, reducing inflammation, and encouraging tissue repair. While this is a technique more commonly seen in treating humans, horses, and dogs, it has been researched to work on all living cells, including smaller patients—like bats.

Despite his fragile state, this little pipistrelle remained remarkably calm throughout treatment, and the results were better than anyone expected.

A Remarkable Recovery

By week two, the team noticed that the wing was recovering faster than usual. Not only that, but no swelling had developed in the joints—a symptom they had anticipated, as it's typically common in similar cases.

After three weeks of treatment

By week three, the healing was nearly complete. The wing membrane had fully recovered, all signs of the condition had vanished and the bat was released successfully.

The team at Bat Rehabilitation Ireland was overjoyed.

The Power of Photobiomodulation for Wildlife

Wing wasting in bats is not only painful and debilitating, but it's also a serious threat to survival. The success of this case has left the rehabilitation team both impressed and hopeful. They now plan to continue using the Photizo Light Therapy device as a regular part of their treatment protocol for injured or dehydrated bats.

This story is a beautiful example of how innovative yet non-invasive therapies like Photizo Red Light Therapy can make a meaningful difference—even for the smallest and most vulnerable creatures.

At Photizo UK, we’re proud to support professionals like those at Bat Rehabilitation Ireland, who are giving these incredible little mammals a second chance at life—and flight.

Want to learn more about how Photizo Light Therapy is helping animals recover across the UK and beyond?
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Many thanks to Susan Kerwin of Bat Rehabilitation Ireland for sending in this case study.

You can find out more about Bat Rehabilitation Ireland by clicking Here.