Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Receives Critical Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to remove a severely infected fang resulting from an infection.
The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was carried out on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, 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," said the dentist.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained over twelve months back, causing germs producing toxins within the fang.
"The approach I follow is animal dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he said.
The expert clarified that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, manager at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."
She said the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added the curator.
The successful surgery marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
