Rescued Ukrainian Lion Undergoes Essential Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent lioness saved from war-torn Ukraine has received vital oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.
Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was carried out 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 immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing harmful substances inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "complete success."
She noted the team had observed "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented the curator.
The successful surgery marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
