How to make sure a shelter cat is healthy before adopting it?

Last year my freind adopted a a dog from a shelter. We were told the dog was healthy, and that there were no problems with it. It seemed a bit worn out, but we chalked that up to the shelter being outside in the blazing heat. However, when we took it to the vet after getting it home, we found out it have worms, stomach parasites, a yeast infect, and a couple of other health problems. After spending hundreds to get it fixed, my friend called the shelter for lying about the dogs health and not giving it the treatment it needed for all it's illnesses. Well now, one year later she is moving into a smaller apartment. Her dog was given to her parents because their older dog had died, leaving them with a younger dog who needed a playmate. Still wanting a pet, my friend decided to get a cat. Since her apartment wont have a yard, and it's so small, it seems better suited to a cat than a dog. We want to avoid the health issues we had last time though. So we were wondering, what are some things you should make sure you check when adopting a cat from a shelter to ensure that it's healthy? Any little bit of advice helps!

Make sure the cats eyes are CLEAR AND ALERT. Make sure he pays attention to what's going on and has an interest in his surroundings, make sure there is no goop in his eyes or around his nose. And that his gums are pink. If you can, listen to his beathing to make sure it sounds strong and is not raspy and make sure his heart doesn't sound abnormal, should be a quick THUD THUD and not a WHOOSH WHOOSH sound. I hope this helped!

Appearence is the big thing. Keep in mind tho, that kittens are more suspectable in picking up viruses which are spread easily in a crowded place. It may be better to adopt an older cat that has more protection and can fight off mild viruses.

Cats are the masters of balance. A healthy cat's gait is steady and fluid. A cat showing signs of losing balance could be suffering from various health problems. It doesn't have to be as dramatic as cerebellar hypoplasia. Limping, difficulty with jumping, or any other problem related to movement, can indicate anything from nutritional deficiencies to fractures or even eye or ear problems.The cat's coat directly reflects its state of health. The fur of a healthy cat is smooth and pleasant to touch, and does not show bald patches, wounds, or cat fleas. A dry and coarse coat may be a sign of unbalanced nutrition.The cat's ears should be pink and clean. If you see a waxy brownish-black secretion in the cat's ears, check for the presence of ear mites (a miniscule ear parasite common among cats). Very often, a cat infected with ear mites will also scratch its ears and shake its head, and you may be able to see scabs in that area. You will not be able to see the mites themselves, as they are microscopic.The healthy cat's eyes are shiny and clear, and lacking any secretion. Cats have a third, inner eyelid, which is usually wide open and not exposed. If the third eyelid is not fully open, it can be seen covering a part of the eye. This situation can indicate a health problem, since it is often a sign of physical or emotional stress.The nose of a healthy cat should be velvety and pleasant in texture, and without any discharge. The nose can be moist to varying degrees, but never very wet.The cat's mouth should be pink, clean, and without any bad breath. The teeth should be whole, white, and without excess tartar. Other signs of possible mouth disease are drooling and an apparent grooming problem - cats that suffer from infections in the mouth area often avoid self-grooming.The cat's rear end and genitals should be clean - Dirt in that area might indicate a problem of diarrhea. Diarrhea may be a sign of poor nutrition, worms or even some form of disease. Even without diarrhea, worms can sometimes be spotted around the anus, particularly tapeworm, which often look like small white and soft grains of rice.

That's quite strange, as shelters are supposed to be up-front about any health issues the cat may have. I wouldn't go back to that shelter, especially if they have animals exposed to blazing heat! Find another shelter to go to!