Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Receives Essential Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has received critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang caused by an infection.
The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating harmful substances within the fang.
"The approach I follow is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the staff had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," added Ms Smith.
This vital operation represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
