Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion rescued from war-torn the war zone has received critical oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an abscess.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.
He thought the infection was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing germs creating harmful substances inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.
The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the operation was a "complete success."
She said the staff had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.
The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
