Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Receives Critical Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," stated the dentist.
He thought the dental issue was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs producing toxins inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the team had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
