Saved from Ukraine Lion Receives Critical Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent lioness rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang caused by an infection.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.
He thought the infection was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs producing harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he said.
The expert explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed 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 operation 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 "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
