Saved from Ukraine Lion Receives Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has received vital oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.
Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the infection was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, leading to germs producing harmful substances inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.
The expert clarified that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She said the staff 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 initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented the curator.
This vital operation represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
