Rescued Ukrainian Lion Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone vital dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang caused by an infection.
Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was performed on last week by 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," said the dentist.
He thought the infection was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, leading to germs producing toxins inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he said.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said 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 assess "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.
This vital operation represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
