Saved from Ukraine Lion Receives Critical Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.
The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing germs creating harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.
The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "total triumph."
She said the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.
This vital operation marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
