Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a badly decayed fang resulting from an infection.
The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a campaign 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 Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," stated the dentist.
He believed the dental issue was due to a injury experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs creating harmful substances inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.
The expert explained that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."
She noted the team had observed "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "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 begin improving over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
