Saved from Ukraine Lion Receives Essential Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has received vital dental surgery to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an abscess.
Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was carried out 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 right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said the dentist.
He thought the infection was due to a injury sustained over twelve months back, leading to bacteria producing harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported 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 significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."
She said the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.
The successful surgery marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
