Cat behaviour

[Joaobeneditosimoes]

Hello there. I have 2 cats, ''blue'' and ''blacky'' and blue fell and broke both back legs. Went to surgery on monday and came home on tuesday. Basically on first day he didn't move much and barely ate and didn't use the litter box. He purred a lot when we pet him. When we go to sleep, we put him in a large nylon carrier so he doesn't hurt his legs. On wednesday he uses the litter box for first time, so part of my problem is solved. He only purred a bit in the morning and each time we grab him for something he growls. We let him in stay in the living room, not in a cage because he doesn't move much. In fact he spends the days sleeping. I try to play with him and he ignores me, if i pet him he doesn't purr anymore. Our other cat has a different personality than this one. Blacky is reserved and only purrs when i go to sleep. He doesn't like being pet like Blue. Blue is a wonderful cat full of joy, he purrs a lot and for about everthing. He loves to go outside... on a leash (2 or 3 times a month) he loves breakfast so much that he wakes us to feed him, and he begs to pet him. We rescued him when he was 6 months, he is now 1/2 year old. Both cats like to chase each other but blue is more social and searches blacky more to play with. He likes to groom him but blacky doesn't like at all, so he starts to bite him. Blue is an affectional cat.
Well... today he doesn't purr at all, still sleeping all day long, eats ok, doesn't play with any toy. I woke up and gave him breakfast and then he walked to cat tree house near our window. I knew he wanted to go up so i pleased him. He slept from 7:30 till 5:30 pm. At least i think he was sleeping. Sometimes he shakes his broken leg, usually the right one. He trembles a bit. He has splints on broken legs and walking with them its uncomfortable. He is now sleeping next to me on the couch.
Well my question is:
Can he be depressed? Or starting to be depressed?
He looks like a different cat and it's making me sad. Both my cats have permission to walk in my house wherever they want, next week i start working and i have to keep blue in a cage for his safety and i'm affraid it will make him more stressed.
Don't know what to do...
Pardon me for my english, thank you for your atention.

[Lilith]

Hi there and welcome

Ouch! Both back legs? How on earth did he do that?

I'm not surprised he is so subdued at the moment; he won't want to do much or interact with you. Cats being what they are, yes, I'm not surprised he wanted to walk around as usual, but for his own good you need to immobilise him as much as possible so as to let his bones knit. The usual post-op care in a case like this is keeping the cat in a cage, even if he doesn't like it much. You could sit next to him and talk to him to give him company when he's awake but he will need to sleep a lot and he really shouldn't be walking around at first after an injury like this.

Has the vet given you any aftercare advice? Is Blue on painkillers or other meds?

I haven't had to care for a cat with injuries like this myself (ah, edit - yes I have, a ginger cat called Albert with a fractured pinned femur. Keep him in one room, said the vet. So I did, and if I left the door open for a second, out came Albert, clunk clunk clunk down the stairs; he could move damn fast for a temporarily three-legged cat; they just don't know what's for their own good but that's 30 years ago or more and aftercare's more specialised these days. There are a few people on this forum who have cared for cats needing immobilisation more recently than that, so hopefully they'll be along soon. But there is definitely nothing abnormal in Blue's behaviour; he's had a shock and he'll be in a lot of pain and discomfort at the moment, poor chap.

All the very best with him; please keep us updated.

[Joaobeneditosimoes]

He fell from the balcony. I live on 1st floor. Its very stupid because its a 1st floor. There was a kitten in the vet that fell from a 3rd floor and she only had a minor fracture on front leg. Blue its a bit clumbsy. Sometimes, when he sleeps on the couch he falls down. Now i have to put nets on my balcony so it doesn't happen again.
I didn't saw him falling, i just heard the noise and by the time i got there he was already limping. I believe he tried to grab yge balcony with front paws and fell with his back.

Well, he doesn't move for almost nothing unless to use litter box and a few steps, that's why i didn't put him in the cage yet, only when we go to sleep. He sleeps most of the time and sometimes he looks to be sleeping but he is not... he is in pain and i feel so sorry for him.
I understand that he does not want to play with us. He is suffering and so am I. He is on meds but the vet said he will feel some pain so that will make him to be more quiet, which will help the healing process. Makes sense... but to see him like this brakes my heart. He already went to vet to replace the bandage and doctor said he was going very well. They didn't even had to sedate him, he is such a nice cat very friendly, even when in pain he suffers for himself.
I know better days will come, but will be difficult to pass them through. He is sleeping know.

[Crewella]

I'm so sorry to hear what happened to your boy, but your vet is right in that it's better for him to be quiet whilst he heals so, hard as it is to see him like this, it does mean he should heal well. Poor boy has been through a lot, it's not surprising that he's subdued. Give him a gentle fuss from me. xx

[Joaobeneditosimoes]

I'm so sorry to hear what happened to your boy, but your vet is right in that it's better for him to be quiet whilst he heals so, hard as it is to see him like this, it does mean he should heal well. Poor boy has been through a lot, it's not surprising that he's subdued. Give him a gentle fuss from me. xx

I will...

He purred a little bit today... but overall he doesn't do much. Sleeps all day long and he is eating much better now. He is so sad, i can tell just by looking at him. Oh well, better days will come.
He's going to vet on wednesday to change bandage and do x-ray to see how he's doing... i hope he is progressing otherwise i'll be very very sad.

[Lilith]

Poor Blue! That's dreadful. I'm glad the vet says he's going on ok though; that sounds very hopeful. I think there will be better days to come; cats are real fighters and though he's poorly at the moment, once his injuries begin to heal, he'll insist on getting back to normal, as they do, and surprise you.

But yes, sad times at the moment. Love to him from me and some healing vibes and good luck tomorrow at the vet's.

[Joaobeneditosimoes]

Went to the vet to change bandage and doctors said he was doing fine. They were impressed with Blue as they didn't have to sedate him to do their work. He is such a lovely cat.
1 week away , 4 more to go

He purred a bit today and went to sleep making my arm his pillow. I just love this cat.