Saved from Ukraine Lion Receives Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn the war zone has received vital dental surgery to extract a badly decayed fang caused by an abscess.
The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was performed on last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.
He thought the dental issue was due to a injury sustained more than a year ago, causing germs producing toxins inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he said.
The expert explained that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, curator at the facility, said the procedure was a "total triumph."
She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added the curator.
The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
