I've got such a difficult decision to make and would really appreciate any thoughts or opinions.
My very old and much beloved (and secret all time favourite) best boy is failing in health. He is a big strong boy and has always been very playful despite his senior years. The last 6 months or so he has slimmed down a bit and began to look like an old cat. Still active, happy and eating well. This last week he has begun to bloat around his middle. I suspect fluid build up due to organ failure of some sort. He is still eating, drinking and behaving as usual, perhaps a bit less active but only slightly.
Any other cat I would whip off to the vets for a check up but this old boy has always been utterly terrified of strangers. I have to hunt him down and coax him out of all sorts of hiding places if we have had visitors or workmen in. For him, being boxed, transported and examined would be desperately traumatic. At his age I would not consent to any form of invasive treatment anyway.
Obviously I dont want my poor boy to suffer and need to make the call when it's time to bite the bullet and have him put to sleep. This is the hard part. As it stands he is not showing any usual cat signs of distress. He is eating, sunbathing on the windowsill, toileting as normal and lapping up fuss... but his middle is swelling up and I cant bear to think of him in any pain.
What indications should I look for that it is time? I do believe it's better a week too early than a day too late but I still dont know if it's time yet?
Any opinions or advice would be very gratefully received.