Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Receives Essential Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical dental surgery to extract a badly decayed fang caused by an infection.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said the dentist.
He thought the infection was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, causing germs creating harmful substances inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he said.
The expert clarified that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."
She noted the staff had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added Ms Smith.
The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.