Sores

Question
Hi Cindy

When I picked up my latest ferret from the animal shelter, I noticed she had a small patch of missing fur and the skin beneath was the colour of a pale tea stain.  I took her to my Vet for spaying and showed him the area, he told me "just to keep an eye on it".  I did so and over the months my ferret started to bother this area to the point she had some open sores.  I would never see her do this, she (or her cage mate?) would do it overnight and be bloody in the morning.  I took her to my vet on Xmas Eve as she'd actually bitten a couple of tiny holes in her side.  He put her on some combination antibiotics including metacam, which she still hasn't finished yet.  She gets a drop a day.  The holes nearly heal and then she seems to open them again and the cycle continues.  Any idea what this is....or is it just the sores drying out, getting itchy and she's nibbling the scabs off again?  My vet isn't sure what it is, but did say she should return if the condition didn't clear up completely.  I'm beginning to worry it's something nasty.

Thanks Cindy.

Katia

Answer
Hello Katia,

I agree, and if it is still having difficulty healing you should bring her back for a recheck.  Plenty of things can go wrong to slow the healing process.  

One thing I would highly recammend is a culture of the wound.  This is a bit expensive (usually about $100) but it will show us two important things.  First, it will tell us exactly what sort of infection is brewing and what antibiotics are best for treatment.  Besides expense, cultures take time.  It can take up to a week to grow and test.  In the end, it might be worth it by getting a prompt diagnosis and proper treatment.  

-Cindy P.