Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Essential Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.
The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.
He thought the infection was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs creating harmful substances within the fang.
"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the procedure was a "complete success."
She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."
"Lira 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 Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
