Saved Ukrainian Lion Receives Essential Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent lioness saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang caused by an infection.
The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing harmful substances inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.
The expert explained that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, manager at the facility, said the procedure was a "total triumph."
She said the team had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "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 coming days," added the curator.
The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
