Background: Twiddledee has been part of my feral/stray/abandoned cat colony since January 2012. TNRd then. Previously owned, he could be rehomed, he is that friendly.
About a week ago (after being on vacation for two weeks) I immediately noticed he wasn't putting any weight on his front left paw.
Today noticing Twiddedee's paw wasn't getting any better, I scruffed him and took him to the cattery where I volunteer for evaluation. Short of x-rays, best guess is a sprain/pulled muscle which, given his lifestyle, is having a hard time healing. Tested negative for FIV/FELK.
Healthy weight.
So I decided to put him into my second bedroom to rest, hoping after a week or so, the muscle will be better. He hasn't moved from the (open) cat carrier, but that is to be expected. Meowing a little, again, to be expected.
My question is: he is use to living/being around the cats in the colony, including his presumed brother (both showed up at the same time, both look identical, I can tell them apart because Dee has darker spots, Twiddledum, lighter spots). I'm concerned that Dee will be very lonely and meow a lot and be unhappy. I work 12 hour days, so can't spend a lot of time with him. And obviously I am not going to introduce him to my resident, only child Ritz. Any suggestions how to make him less lonely, afraid? Any other thing I should look out for. Thanks.
About a week ago (after being on vacation for two weeks) I immediately noticed he wasn't putting any weight on his front left paw.
Today noticing Twiddedee's paw wasn't getting any better, I scruffed him and took him to the cattery where I volunteer for evaluation. Short of x-rays, best guess is a sprain/pulled muscle which, given his lifestyle, is having a hard time healing. Tested negative for FIV/FELK.
Healthy weight.
So I decided to put him into my second bedroom to rest, hoping after a week or so, the muscle will be better. He hasn't moved from the (open) cat carrier, but that is to be expected. Meowing a little, again, to be expected.
My question is: he is use to living/being around the cats in the colony, including his presumed brother (both showed up at the same time, both look identical, I can tell them apart because Dee has darker spots, Twiddledum, lighter spots). I'm concerned that Dee will be very lonely and meow a lot and be unhappy. I work 12 hour days, so can't spend a lot of time with him. And obviously I am not going to introduce him to my resident, only child Ritz. Any suggestions how to make him less lonely, afraid? Any other thing I should look out for. Thanks.