Saved Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Essential Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed fang resulting from an infection.
Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said the dentist.
He believed the dental issue was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing germs creating harmful substances inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
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 significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, manager at the facility, declared the procedure was a "complete success."
She noted the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.
This vital operation represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
