Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Receives Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to remove a severely infected fang resulting from an infection.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, causing germs creating harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues need to be treated 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 Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."
She said the staff had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.
This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
