Saved from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an infection.
The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was carried out on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.
He believed the infection was caused by a injury sustained over twelve months back, leading to germs creating toxins inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, manager at the facility, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith.
The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
