Saved from Ukraine Lion Receives Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a badly decayed fang caused by an infection.
The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was performed on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.
He thought the infection was due to a injury experienced over twelve months back, causing germs producing harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.
The expert clarified that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.
The successful surgery marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
