Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent female lion rescued from war-torn the war zone has undergone vital oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.
Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was performed on Friday by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the infection was caused by a trauma sustained over twelve months back, leading to germs producing toxins inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.
The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "complete success."
She said the team had observed "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.
This vital operation represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.