Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Receives Critical Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent female lion rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang caused by an abscess.
Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 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 treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said the dentist.
He believed the dental issue was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive 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 Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "total triumph."
She noted the team had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.
The successful surgery marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
