Rescued from Ukraine Lion Receives Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old lioness saved from war-torn the war zone has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an abscess.
Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing germs producing toxins within the fang.
"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, curator at the facility, declared the procedure was a "complete success."
She said the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" 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 Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
