Rescued Ukrainian Lion Undergoes Essential Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.
Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was carried out 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 broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist.
He believed the infection was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing germs producing harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth 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 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 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 somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
