Saved Ukrainian Lioness Receives Critical Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has received vital dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.
The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was performed on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing germs producing harmful substances within the fang.
"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.
The expert explained that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center reported 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 significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."
She said the team had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added Ms Smith.
This vital operation represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
