Rescued Ukrainian Lion Receives Critical Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess.
Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was performed on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist.
He believed the infection was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing germs creating harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he said.
The expert clarified that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz 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 Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "total triumph."
She said the team had observed "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness 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," commented Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
