Saved Ukrainian Lion Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has received critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.
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 fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery 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 right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said the dentist.
He believed the dental issue was due to a injury sustained over twelve months back, leading to bacteria creating toxins within the fang.
"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
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 sanctuary reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal 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.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the procedure was a "complete success."
She said the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
