Massachusetts Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Exam

If a baby squirrel has puncture wounds from a cat's mouth, what is necessary for treatment?

1. Antibiotic therapy is not necessary due to the small size of the wounds.

2. Only topical treatment is needed for cleaning the wounds.

3. Antibiotic therapy is necessary because of the risk of infection.

4. Monitoring the wounds is sufficient without antibiotics.

The correct answer is: Antibiotic therapy is necessary because of the risk of infection.

In the case of a baby squirrel with puncture wounds from a cat's mouth, antibiotic therapy is crucial due to the high risk of infection. Cat bites and puncture wounds are particularly concerning because they can introduce bacteria deep into the tissue. The bacteria from cat saliva can lead to serious infections that may escalate quickly if not treated properly. Administering antibiotics helps to prevent infection from developing and supports the healing process. Given that the wounds are from a cat, which is known to have potentially harmful bacteria in its mouth, ensuring that the baby squirrel receives appropriate antibiotic treatment is a key aspect of its care. While monitoring or topical treatments may be considered components of wound care, they are insufficient on their own in this situation due to the risk associated with feline bites. Therefore, the necessity for antibiotic therapy is well-justified in this scenario.