Saved from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Essential Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has received vital dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an infection.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was performed on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, causing germs creating toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.
The expert explained that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."
She noted the staff had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.
The successful surgery represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
