Rescued from Ukraine Lion Receives Essential Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a badly decayed fang resulting from an infection.
The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
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 damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.
He thought the infection was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing germs creating toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center said the removed fang 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 seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "complete success."
She noted the staff had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins 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 the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
