Huge raw bald spot

[Ree]

Nym's had this for a while...but it's recently become rather bad...



He's been treated for mites/lice (ivermec) and has had cortisone.

The cortisone originally helped, the wound dried up and looked to be improving, but then it stopped helping and now it's getting worse again.  That pic is from last night, and is about the worst it's been.  It's slightly better this morning...drier.

He's due for another check up this coming saturday....but I might take him in earlier....

I was just wondering if there's anything I can do to help ease the itchiness so it has a chance to heal....?  Anything else I could question my vet about?  

He's currently 26 months old (ish).

[TheChicagoCrew]

Yikes Ree... that does look bad  Did he scratch that area for it to be bleeding, or is it like a sore? Bumpy etc.. could it be ringworm?

-Melina

[Marybelle]

Has he had an injection in that area?  That looks a lot like an injection reaction.  If not, though, I don't know what to tell you...  Poor guy.  It certainly doesn't look comfortable.

[Ree]

Nope, he hasn't been injected in that area....only ever on the back of his neck, and this is on his side...

Up until a couple of days ago when it went scabby, it was perfectly smooth, raw looking skin.  It would weep a little bit if he scratched at it, but now it's scabby and bloody...    It used to be two smaller bald spots too, but they've merged now.  

[Marybelle]

How long ago was the injection on the back of his neck, and is it possible it went there under the skin?  I'm just trying to find logical explanations here...

[Adventure Rats]

First thing you need to do is trim his nails down as far as you can, even filing them a little so they aren't pointy. Then wash it in an antibacterial solution, if you can get or have betadine that's best (as far as my vet is concerned). Then put some antibiotic cream on it. Ruthie had success with blu-kote on her girl. There is a darling little girl who I really want who has a bad neck and has for months on end. It is getting smaller but not healing up. These things have helped her a little. Also Managerie knows of a really good oil that might help. Youd have to ask her though since I can't remember what it is called.

I hope it clears up soon.

[Ree]

Mary - this whole thing started months and months after his last injection...although he's been jabbed now in attempts to fix it...  

Thanks for the advice, Adventure Rats.  

I've tried to track down blu-kote in NZ, but so far I haven't been successful...which is suprising really, because it's used a lot on horses and equestrian stuff is majorly popular here...ah well.  

[jen]

ouchie, poor nym! my eldest female, alice, has a smaller sore bit that has scabbed over, her scab is hanging off and driving me nuts but as long as she's happy i'm sure it'll come off eventually.

i took her to the vet because i didnt know why it'd happened and she seems to think it'll be fine once it's healed. it tried putting a little bit of cream on but she just ate it! she's had it for about 2 months now.

completely unhelpful but thought you might like a shared story!