Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Essential Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone vital dental surgery to remove a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an abscess.
Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was carried out on last week by 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 highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, leading to bacteria producing toxins within the fang.
"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, curator at the facility, said the procedure was a "complete success."
She said the team had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, 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 the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
