Rescued Ukrainian Lion Undergoes Critical Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent lioness rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a badly decayed fang caused by an infection.
Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was performed on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.
He thought the infection was due to a trauma sustained over twelve months back, leading to bacteria producing harmful substances inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "complete success."
She said the staff had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" 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 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 arrival from the conflict area.
