Saved from Ukraine Lion Receives Essential Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang caused by an abscess.
The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was performed on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.
He thought the infection was caused by a injury sustained over twelve months back, leading to germs creating toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.
The expert clarified that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "complete success."
She said the staff had observed "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" 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 removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.
The successful surgery marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.