Saved from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Essential Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a badly decayed fang caused by an infection.
Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was carried out on last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs producing toxins inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, curator at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."
She noted the team had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.
The successful surgery marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
