BGFalcon85 t1_je9rv8x wrote on March 30, 2023 at 1:29 PM

One caveat is to make sure you have vaccination and deworming records from where you adopt. When we rescued our cat and took him to the vet they immediately dewormed him "just in case" and it basically ruined his gut bacteria and he has lifelong digestive issues since then after being perfectly fine at the shelter.

MiKeMcDnet t1_jeb016c wrote on March 30, 2023 at 6:27 PM

What records... the our last dog came from the pound with every infestation you could imagine (including tape worm).

bcurtiswx OP t1_je9vr15 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 1:58 PM

Great point! Definitely get as much information as you can from the shelter and bring it with you. The shelter I adopted from had all that and made it a priority to give it to me, but I can imagine not all shelters remember!

Left-Star2240 t1_jechrcj wrote on March 31, 2023 at 12:27 AM

Wow! Once the adoption was finalized we received his intake paperwork (including the questionnaire from the lady who initially took him in) with his vaccination records, neuter records, and dental records (he’s FIV+ and had had a few teeth pulled by the shelter’s vet).

Kiwi_bananas t1_jeb4b6r wrote on March 30, 2023 at 6:54 PM

Deworming products do not affect gut bacteria.

BGFalcon85 t1_jeb6klx wrote on March 30, 2023 at 7:09 PM

Not directly, no. But an overdose that causes inflammation and diarrhea can, apparently. The vet basically said a buildup of "bad" bacteria overwhelmed the "good" bacteria (this is after weeks of blood and fecal tests). Six months of twice-daily Tylosin that we had to wean him off, and over a year of prescribed probiotics got him to a point where he can at least eat his sensitive food without issues.

Nubjuice t1_jeerryh wrote on March 31, 2023 at 2:15 PM

So was it an overdose? I’m confused by your description.