Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Undergoes Essential Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess.
Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist.
He believed the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.
The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal 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.
Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."
She noted the team had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added the curator.
The successful surgery represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
