Rescued from Ukraine Lion Receives Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.
Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who raised £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 cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs creating harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.
The expert clarified that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
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 corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, curator at the facility, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added Ms Smith.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.