For the past couple of weeks we've been allowing our tomcat back outside. He was a almost completely outdoor cat when we adopted him and then we kept him inside only walking him around the yard with a harness and leash until we were sure he was ready to venture outside alone.

He has been staying out longer and longer, usually completely over night and will come back home when I wake up in the morning. He has access to inside and outside through a bathroom window and so we dont have to let him in and out all the time.

A couple of days ago he came in and looked very messy. I went to go see why he had dirt all over him and discovered a large chunk of hair missing right beside his ear! Also, there appeared to be bite marks on his ear. The place where the fur was missing was all red and sore but it looked dry... it wasnt pussing or bleeding. I flipped out but my fiancee said we would just keep him inside until it gets better.

Last night Rocky was meowing non-stop, kept trying to break through the window and kept trying to sneak past us to get outside. Finally, at about midnight when we couldnt sleep because of the noise my fiancee finally let him out. When he came back in this morning his sore was even bigger.

We think he's getting into fights and have no idea how to stop it. He obviously wont stay inside very happily but we cant get him to come inside on command. It's very stressful. Also, should I take him to the vet soon or will it just heal like a scab that humans get?

Any advice would be appreciated!!