Saved from Ukraine Lion Receives Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone vital oral operation to extract a severely infected fang caused by an abscess.
The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist.
He believed the infection was caused by a injury sustained over twelve months back, leading to germs producing toxins inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "complete success."
She noted the team had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added Ms Smith.
The successful surgery marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
