Saved Ukrainian Lion Receives Essential Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old female lion rescued from war-torn Ukraine has received vital dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.
Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was caused by a trauma sustained over twelve months back, leading to germs producing harmful substances within the fang.
"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
The expert explained that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal 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.
The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "complete success."
She noted the team had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."
"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented the curator.
This vital operation represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
