Saved Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Essential Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has received vital oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.
Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to support 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 the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing harmful substances inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.
The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."
She noted the staff had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" 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 start to feel much better over the next few days," commented the curator.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
