Saved from Ukraine Lioness Undergoes Critical Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn the war zone has undergone vital oral operation to extract a severely infected 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 raised £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said the dentist.
He thought the infection was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs creating toxins within the fang.
"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 clarified that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."
She noted the staff had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, 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.
The successful surgery marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
