Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has undergone vital oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.
Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was carried out on last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing germs creating harmful substances inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract 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 facility, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She noted the team had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."
"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.
This vital operation marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
