Stray cat with ear wound

When I got home from Christmas dinner there was a black cat sitting in the driveway.

This cat is a super friendly black male cat.

However, behind his left ear is a really nasty wound. It's not fresh, it's scabbed over. And it doesn't seem to be bothering him. However, there are no other wounds on him, so I'm not sure if it's from a previous fight or what.

I took a picture, but he was moving constantly so it's a bit blurry. I'll try to get a  better picture later.

I heard that Petsmart does a free wellness check. Should I try to take him to that?

Thanks for caring about this cat.

Is fur growing over the wound?  There was a cat in my colony who appeared to have been in some kind of accident/fight, wound area very clean though (never did figure that out--perhaps some kind soul trapped and took the cat to a vet?).  Like your cat, it didn't appear to bother him.   I stopped worrying when I saw fur growing/covering the scar.

Just how friendly is this cat?  Can you pick him up?  Would you consider adopting him/her?

I hadn't heard about the free wellness check.

Maybe I'm paranoid, but given that this cat appears to have been in a fight and (unless microchipped) there is no record of him being vaccinated against rabies, the vet *may* decide to quarantine him. 

If you do decide to foster/adopt him, I'd take him to the vets (do you know any?) for a general wellness check and, if applicable, neutering and shots.  I would NOT mention anything about the wound.  Pretend ignorance, though do tell the vet he is a stray.  But I would definitely have him tested for FIV/FeLK, a somewhat common test given that he's been living outdoors.

Thank you very much!! I'm definitely considering adopting him. He lets me pick him up, rub his belly (a bit strange? I've only met one other cat who let me do that), and he slept in my garage last night! I think he must have been a pet at one time, but considering what his wound looks like, I don't want to give him back if he still is one..

There is no fur growing over the wound, but everything feels and looks scabbed over. I'm considering hand washing it gently and applying some sort of anti-biotic cream because he can't lick there. I'm afraid if he's been scratching at it and making it worse though, because it looks deep.

Thank you so much

I'm glad you're considering adopting him. Not sure about the antibiotic. Maybe call a vet? Or put a cone around his head if he doesn't resist too much. Can you determine if he's been neutered?

He's definitely not neutered. I'll need to wait for him to come back though to try anything. Thank you so much for all the advice (:

From what I can see by the picture (it's hard not seeing in person to know) but it does not appear to me to be a fight wound.

That can't be ruled out of course, but it being where it is located doesn't scream fight to me.

Applying an antibiotic OINTMENT (rather than cream if possible) can only help.

Not a thick coating but thin.

Are you familiar with what earmites look like? Check inside his ear by taking a tissue or thin washcloth and with it over your finger, put it in his ear and do a twirl type of swipe.

It helps to do this fast and without resistance if you use the other hand and gently pull up on the tip of his ear to keep it erect when swiping.

If you see dirt, normal, but if any of it looks like coffee grounds, then he has earmites and has scratched behind his ear repeatedly with his back paw causing this wound.

It may be mites, but if you don't see anything like that, gosh it could be some odd injury from who-knows-what, but until you can get him seen by a vet, the ointment will really help.

I looked as good as I could at the inside of his ear, from what I can see there is no imflammation inside. If you can post a better pic of it, that might help. Also at a different angle, behind the ear completely, and his inner ear.

I love that you will care for this sweet guy, he obviously sat in your driveway because it was meant to be Cats have a way of showing their gratitude, you'll see.

It looks like it could be from him scratching.  I'd recommend a vet visit if you can.