Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Receives Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary 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 damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.
He believed the infection was due to a injury experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.
Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, curator at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."
She noted the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented the curator.
This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
