Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent lioness rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess.
The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was performed on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.
He believed the dental issue was due to a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing germs producing harmful substances within the fang.
"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.
The expert clarified that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted 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 "complete success."
She noted the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.
This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
