Saved from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion saved from war-torn the war zone has received critical dental surgery to remove a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an abscess.
Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was carried out on last week by 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 damaged fang was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.
He believed the dental issue was due to a injury experienced over twelve months back, leading to bacteria creating toxins inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
The expert explained that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."
She noted the team had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, 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 Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
