Saved from Ukraine Lioness Receives Essential Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent lioness rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical dental surgery to extract a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.
Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was due to a injury sustained over twelve months back, leading to bacteria producing harmful substances inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She said the staff had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."
"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.