Hairballs: Lessons Learned and a Reminder to all during shedding season!

Merlin started vomiting yellow liquid several weeks ago. It's been crazy here and I thought it was because his feeding schedule was off. Then the vomiting stopped. Then a week or more ago, I started finding runny puddles of poo in the basement, took a while to discover Merlin was the culprit. I thought maybe his tummy disagreed with heavier foods. When this didnt stop I called the vet and Merlin went today, and I brought a stool sample. The poor guy has terrible hairballs and he couldn't get them out. The vet gave him an anti-spasmodic, antibiotic, and Laxatone. In addition, I mentioned that Merlin still munches on dry food even though he hardly has teeth. The vet knows about our big buddy Sampson and recommended a strictly wet food diet for everyone. Because Merlin cannot chew it, dry food is binding up Merlin's digestive system and it is not safe for him to eat.
My fat kibble addict is going to be one ticked off cat. But just because your cat isn't throwin up hairballs doesn't mean they might not have one. Shedding season is awful this year, I vacuum up bags full of cat fur every day from my rugs. Honestly I'd be giving the Laxatone or equivalent from now until summer. I'm shocked that this happened and it could have been a lot worse!
Not to mention Im soaking the house with Feliway and have to basically retrain Merlin to poo in his box. In his defense he was so good at the vet and doesn't fuss when I give his medicine.
*exhausted kitty mama*