Saved from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Critical Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has undergone vital 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 fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.
He thought the infection was due to a injury sustained more than a year ago, leading to germs producing toxins inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he said.
The expert clarified that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the team had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
