What is the matter with this water vole's fur?

[vole-woman]

I watched a vole this evening, and it seemed to have something wrong with its back. Can anyone tell what it is?

[ron1863]

Could it possibly be a failed attack from a bird of prey.

[vole-woman]

I wondered whether it was scar tissue. The vole was active, feeding, swimming, and at one point it pushed its body under a log - not what you'd expect if its back was sore. But I didn't know whether I was being over-optimistic.

[Picidae]

You probably know as much as anyone on here about Voles, VW! My own guess, since the fur surrounding the patch is wet (due to licking/preening), suggests perhaps mange or some other irritating skin ailment. It looks more extensive than just the bare parts since there's signs of licking/mangey looking fur towards it's rump too. Similarly, it could just be a flea infection. These things tend to clear up over time provided diet is healthy/habitat is clean(ish!)

[vole-woman]

Thanks. Let's hope so.

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

I did wonder if it might have some oil or other pollutant on its back which was causing it not to dry and irritating the skin. But apart from that I can't really help you on this one.

[valleyforge]

I think Picidae is right in that the wet patch around the patch does look as if it was due to licking (most likely by the vole itself)

The 'wound' looks to me very like a scab formed where a deer/sheep tick has been attached and feeding and has since dropped off ... or been dislodged by the host animal. I've often found a few scabs very similar to this on my cats and on some wild rabbits. On the cats, I know this kind of scab can form after a tick has been removed. That'll only persist for about a week or so, but may cause minor irritation initially.

The vole doesn't look particulary mangy at all to me, so not sure I would go with that diagnosis I'm afraid, although it is a possibility.

At first sight, it reminded me very much like the type of minor injury female ferrets, stoats or weasels receive from being 'scruffed' by a male during the protracted act of mating, but I don't know if that is something that bank voles do (the scruffing that is) as I've never witnessed it in any other rodent. I'm sure you are the authority on that aspect vole-woman?

In any case it doesn't look like something that should necessarily cause much concern.

Valley Forge Native Wildlife Refuge

[vole-woman]

I'm not an authority - wish I was! Is scruffing when a male vole holds a female by the scruff while he mounts her? I think I've seen a pair of water voles that, a couple of years ago.

Anway, this vole should be easy to recognize, so I'll keep an eye out for how he/she's doing.

[Dutchess]

I looked at the pic before reading everyone elses posts and my first thought was a bite from another vole. My rabbits receive this type of injury when together in groups (occasionally litters do not get on!)

hth

D.

[valleyforge]

Yep ... that's exactly what scruffing is