I brought my moms 17 year old cat to the vet it has always been indoors. He started to loose alot of weight to the extent is tailbone was showing and he was very bony. He had not eaten for days and defacate he would try anyhow even though there was nothing there. I went to the vet with intentions of putting him down as I figured old age my mother is very ill and cannot properly take care of him. The vet looked at him and said lets do blood tests. Which in a way I guess would give me peace of mind rather than not knowing. BUT question is is that protocol at vets. They cannot euthanize a pet unless they do blood tests and know why? I have had Many Many cats through the years and years. I feel it was his time But perhaps not we'll see I guess. I went to a vet with a feral my mom fed outside for 12 years. He then was fixed and remained outside until a few months later he suddenly got very thin and his tongue was out a bit and got very friendly. I trapped him brought him to the vet. I said he needed to be put down so instead he did Blood tests/ another rabies which he just had a few month prior and a shot of covenia. and FIV which he had. What was odd the cat got very friendly. He took the cat in the back and did all of these things without my knowledge. Blood tests okay. Anyway to make a long story short I took the cat home he was so happy but the blood tests said he should have been dead, the vet agreed with me that I was right in putting him down. We had a great week together . I guess knowing he was that ill and putting him down was the right thing I still question the protocol.of vets esp when strapped for money?