Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Receives Essential Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was performed on last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said the dentist.
He believed the infection was due to a trauma sustained over twelve months back, causing germs producing toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.
This vital operation represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
