Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Critical Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone vital oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an infection.
Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating harmful substances inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted 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 said the team had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented the curator.
The successful surgery marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
