Rescued from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent lioness saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical dental surgery to extract a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing germs producing toxins inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he said.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, 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 dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, manager at the facility, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."
She said the team had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."
"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 next few days," added the curator.
The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
