Rescued from Ukraine Lion Receives Essential Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old female lion rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an infection.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after 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 last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.
He thought the infection was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.
Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She noted the staff had observed "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."
"The lioness 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," commented the curator.
The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
