Saved from Ukraine Lioness Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was performed on last week by veterinary 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," stated the dentist.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing germs producing harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, curator at the facility, said the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.
The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
