Could a Dog Have Caused This? [Warning: Wound]

Hello,

I have adopted two stray/feral cats on my porch who have been living comfortably for a few years now. The first one, Toby, is probably 6 years old or so, and must certainly have been a lost/runaway because he is neutered and has many domesticated characteristics. The problem is many other stray cats often come around to try and scrounge food and sometimes fights break out. He is extremely docile towards other cats, but he will chase off aggressive/hostile ones. I think he may also get into occasional fights with dogs and racoons as well. We bring in the dry food now at night to deter raccoons. He is extremely large, but he is still just a cat, so i try and keep him out of trouble as much as possible.

Yesterday i heard a lot of barking and general annoying dog behavior outside, pretty typical of dog walkers around here, but i found later that Toby was injured by something. He has a rather gruesome looking cut on his head. The cut doesn't look especially deep or serious, but what worries me is how much hair he lost around the wound. The area is raised and swollen, but it looks like it is healing. I've been putting a bit of polysporin on it.

If he shows any signs of this being more than a flesh wound, he'll be taking a trip to the vet, but i am more worried about the potential for this to happen again. I've had issues in the past with stupid and irresponsible dog owners not walking their dogs with a leash or losing control of them, and having them go for the two porch cats. The hair loss is what confuses me. It doesn't look like something another cat could do, and it didnt happen at night so i doubt a racoon was involved. I was wondering if a dog could have caused this wound, or if maybe it was a car?

Thanks

Also please let me know if this wound could actually be serious and if i should get it treated by a vet. I'm not an expert.

Good photos. From what I can see it looks like a puncture wound (so deep and narrow), and mostly I'd be worried about an infection starting in there. I'd take him to a vet and get him on some antibiotics. In the mean time, try putting a moist and warm washcloth on it for a few minutes a couple times a day (if he'll let you). That'll help keep it clean and breakdown any crud building up in there. 

Thank you. I'll keep an eye on it, he's mostly just been sleeping since yesterday. If it is still red/swollen in a couple days or if it gets bigger/worse i'll take him in for some shots or antibiotics.

Do you think a dog bite could cause that kind of wound? It looks too big and oddly placed for something like a cat scratch or cat bite. The hair loss still bothers me because its not a spot he can lick, so i wonder what removed it.

When my cat's fight each other they have gotten decent scratches and lost tufts of hair, not quite as extreme as Toby's.

To me poor Toby's wound does look to be a bite, but I'm not an expert. Maybe he lost the hair around the bite from trauma?

I don't know what caused it, but whatever happened could certainly happen again. Do you think there's any chance he could be taught to live as an indoor kitty? From your description it sounds like it could be worth a try, even though it might take some time. That would really be the best way to prevent this or something worse from happening. You can try TNRing any unneutered strays to reduce cat fights, but that won't protect him from other animals.

I think a dog bite would be worse, unless it was a small dog. Looks like a cat bite---that's a common place for fight wounds. Keep it clean and open, if you're careful maybe infection can be avoided.

Thank you everyone. I'll keep a close eye on it then if it is likely going to be prone to infection.

On a side note, I'm honestly pretty amazed with Toby. If there was ever a cat "worthy" of adoption, it would be him. I have never seen a cat who is so kind and altruistic towards other cats. He is a massive 20lb male, and lets other random cats come up to eat his food out of his own bowl and he just moves out of the way and lets them eat, as long as they arent hostile. And about two years ago, he decided to adopt a feral male kitten who was wandering around our backyard, and has been watching over him ever since, teaching him hunting and social skills (Toby is neutered so he isn't the father). When the kitten gets into fights Toby will run in and attack the other cat, and he always cleans him and they often sleep in the same bed. I didnt know that male adult cats could ever bond like this with a completely unrelated kitten, especially when they werent forced into contact.

If it wasnt for my indoor male Abby who has to be the most territorial i've ever had, i would gladly bring Toby and the kitten inside. Still though Toby and the kitten now enjoy two insulated and heated houses, a large cot stuffed with pillows, and multiple pet beds scattered around the porch, and they get 3 canned meals a day plus dry food all day. It's about the best compromise i could hope for. Honestly the kitten is almost a bit spoiled now, he has started turning down meals when it isnt his favorite flavor of canned food.

Here is a pretty recent picture of Toby and Poe. It's amazing how much the kitten has grown in the last 2 years. He used to be able to curl up into a little ball about the size of Toby's head.


Thanks again for the advice and information.

That is hilarious, I love big tom cats! They're always so laid back.

Anyways. Yes, fur will fall off of infected or very irritated areas even without grooming.