Saved Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old female lion rescued from war-torn Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who collected ÂŁ500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was performed on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said the dentist.
He believed the infection was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, causing germs producing toxins within the fang.
"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a root canal treatment 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 said the team had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "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," commented Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.