Rescued Ukrainian Lion Undergoes Essential Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.
Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, leading to bacteria creating toxins inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.
The expert explained that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening 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.
The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "total triumph."
She said the team had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.
The successful surgery represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.