Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has undergone vital oral operation to remove a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess.
The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was carried out on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," stated the dentist.
He thought the infection was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, leading to germs creating toxins inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She said the staff had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.
The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
