Saved Ukrainian Lion Receives Critical Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical dental surgery to extract a badly decayed fang caused by an infection.
Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the infection was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing germs creating toxins within the fang.
"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.
The expert clarified that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "complete success."
She said the team had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.
This vital operation represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
