Rescued from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Essential Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent lioness rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received vital oral operation to remove a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an abscess.
Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was performed on last week by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating toxins inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.
The expert explained that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, curator at the facility, said the operation was a "complete success."
She said the team had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."
"Lira 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 the curator.
This vital operation represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
