By Alice Gibbs
A cat owner has shared how the pet that was just $10 to adopt ended up costing a lot more than expected鈥攂ut she has no regrets.After losing her beloved senior cat Stella in 2021, Kathy Saupp Reardon, 39, from Maryland wanted to help another cat. Aware that senior cats are often overlooked in busy shelters, she headed out to help an older pet.”I saw his photo on the BARCS website and was smitten,” Reardon told Newsweek, describing her first glimpse of the sweet-faced cat. When she arrived at the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, Louis was already demanding attention. “He was meowing so loud at us鈥擨 knew we had to have him.”Louis’ story, however, wasn’t without hurdles. Upon adoption, Reardon discovered the 14-year-old cat was suffering from advanced dental disease.”His teeth were basically dissolving,” she said. “He must have been in so much pain but was still the sweetest boy.” After extensive veterinary care, Louis underwent full-mouth extractions to relieve the pain he had been quietly enduring.The vet bill came to around $3,000, a far cry from his $10 adoption fee at the shelter.Cat dental health issues, especially in older cats, are common and can significantly affect their quality of life. Despite being common, dental issues in cats often go undiagnosed because of their ability to hide pain.Cats over 7 years old should have dental examinations from a vet at least annually, and follow advice from a veterinarian when it comes to dental x-rays and tooth cleaning.Dental treats and brushing with cat-safe toothpaste are also good ways to prevent dental problems in the future.If you spot your cat bleeding from the mouth, a sudden refusal to eat, facial swelling or persistent drooling or signs of pain, it is important to see a vet immediately.Today, Louis is toothless but unstoppable. He devours mousse-style cat food, plays with jingling toys, and sprints around the house with surprising agility despite suffering arthritis.Reardon shared Louis’ dental dilemma to the Dull Women’s Cat Club Facebook group at the end of June, where it amassed more than 3,000 likes.”He is the sweetest, weirdest cat I have ever met and does not have many thoughts in his head… and was worth every penny,” Reardon said. “I have absolutely no regrets. I am so glad I could help him and we are so lucky to have him in our lives.”Earlier this year another cat who got dental work gained viral attention when her 22-year-old owner got her a $5,000 gold tooth to replace her split tooth.Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.