Saved from Ukraine Lioness Receives Essential Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to remove a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an infection.
Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said the dentist.
He believed the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, leading to germs creating toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he said.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal 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, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She said the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
