Saved from Ukraine Lioness Receives Critical Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.
Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was carried out on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, leading to germs creating harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.
The expert explained that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."
She noted the team had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.
This vital operation represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.