Rescued Ukrainian Lion Undergoes Critical Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an infection.
Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was performed on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the dental issue was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, 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 root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, curator at the facility, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."
She said the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, 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 rescue from Ukraine.
