Saved from Ukraine Lioness Undergoes Essential Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old female lion rescued from war-torn Ukraine has received vital oral operation to remove a severely infected fang caused by an abscess.
Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 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 procedure was carried out on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing germs creating harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.
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 reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, manager at the facility, declared the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the staff had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
