Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Essential Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent female lion rescued from war-torn the war zone has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an infection.
Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was carried out on Friday by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist.
He believed the dental issue was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
The expert explained that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."
She said the team had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "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 coming days," added Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.