Saved Ukrainian Lion Receives Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent lioness saved from war-torn the war zone has received vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an infection.
Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.
He believed the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained over twelve months back, causing germs creating harmful substances inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang 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 team had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added Ms Smith.
The successful surgery marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
