Question about lacerations on cats back

Due to a grooming mishap, our rescued tabby has 3 holes in the skin on his back, all 3 are around the size of a nickel in different spots. Our vet says it will cost $550 to stitch him up. Since I am on disability there is no way I could come up with that amount so I applied for financial assistance from an organization called ruffrescue.org - But the lady I spoke with on the phone said vet care is not necessary and all I have to do is apply Neosporin to the wounds and they will heal on their own. Well I would like a 2nd opinion on that. If anyone here has any experience with a wound like that any advice would be appreciated.

You can imagine what it would look like if someone used scissors to cut matted fur and cut a little too low and ended up cutting through the skin, because that's exactly what happened.

Thx for any help.  

I am a human doctor, not a vet and any advice that I give about cats should be checked by a vet.  

The lady was quite wrong to say that the wounds do not need suturing as she has not seen the wounds and it is not possible to give advice about treatment over the telephone without having seen the cat..  (Incidentally I too cannot give specific advice about the wounds in your cat by email.  What I can do is advise you about wounds in general, as the management of feline skin lacerations is not all that different from skin lacerations in humans. 

If the vet, who HAD seen the wounds stated that the wounds needed suturing, then they DID need suturing. However  I use the past tense about this as it is possible, from what you wrote, that some time has now gone by since the cat had the cuts.  One should not, as a general rule, suture wounds when they are old as there is the possibility that they would be infected. 

If the wounds are old, then the usual treatment is to leave the wounds exposed to the air.  If they have formed ulcers, then it may be necessary to cover the wounds with tulle gras, or some non sticking dressing.  If infected, but not otherwise, an antibiotic should be given, but to indiscriminately give Neosporin to prevent infection is to risk the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Perhaps your vet can treat the wounds without suturing?   This treatment should be much cheaper than  $550, although it would take much longer for your cat to recover.

With all best wishes,

Geoffrey

You can also look for assistance from oneof the organizations listed here: http://www.thecatsite.com/a/no-money-for-vet-care-how-to-find-help-and-save-your-cats-life

The woman on the phone should not be giving out medical advice.