Quality of Life

I've just read an article that talks about quality of life.  I have been struggling with Dock's for a few weeks now.  It's so hard to know if you are doing it too early, or too late.  The last thing I want to do is have her suffer, or to experience something significant like a major seizure when we are not at home, or lose her balance and fall and hurt herself.  I've talked to friends, co-workers, and most importantly, my husband, about this.  I'm still on the fence, so my vet gave an article with a scale to try and quantify her quality of life.
 
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1523

I went through this list, and I found it was a good beginning, but that it is deeper than this article makes it. I'll post her score for each section in brackets.

Hurt - I know Dock's breathing is a bit labored, she is bloated and I think that has increased her breathing.  But what is a normal respiration rate for cats?   (5)

Hunger - She eats well, and is even looking for extra food.  But that is from the meds.  (7)

Hydration - How do I tell she is dehydrated?  What should she normally drink in a day?  She urinates well, but I know she's always had concentration issues, and she does have early kidney disease.  (7)

Hygiene - She barely self grooms anymore.  Thankfully, she has never really matted, or had issues with poop sticking to her long fur on her bum.  But she looks greasy, and patchy, and not very pretty anymore. (2)

Happiness - She seems depressed and tired.  I see it in her eyes, and she can't stand me coming at her with her meds which breaks my heart.  She does not seem interesting in toys, or in the new cat at home.  She just wants to sit beside us, purr and get pets.  That's her only real happiness (3)

Mobility - She doesn't go up and down the stairs as well.  She drags her back feet (particularly her left).  She never stands anymore, she will only sit.  I have just noticed today, she does not raise her tail anymore. (3)

More good days than bad - This is a really hard thing to gauge.  All her days are the same.  I noticed that she is really only awake for an hour in the morning, if that, and 2-3 in the evening.  During that time, she doesn't do much besides sit and get pets. (3)

According to the scale, Dock is 30, which according to their scale is a poor quality of life.  I'm glad to have seen this article, and will discuss it with the hubby tonight.