Rescued from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.
Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was performed on last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.
He believed the infection was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing germs producing toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, 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 somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added the curator.
This vital operation represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
