Saved Ukrainian Lioness Receives Critical Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent female lion rescued from war-torn the war zone has received critical dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.
The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was carried out on Friday by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."
She said the team had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
