Rescued from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Essential Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion saved from war-torn the war zone has received vital oral operation to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.
The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.
He thought the infection was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing germs creating harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "total triumph."
She said the team had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.
This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.