Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Essential Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received vital dental surgery to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an infection.
Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to fund 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 right away the broken tooth was severely infected," stated the dentist.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating harmful substances inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.
The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure 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 "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore 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," commented Ms Smith.
This vital operation represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
