Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Critical Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent female lion rescued from war-torn the war zone has undergone critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang resulting from an infection.
The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.
He thought the infection was due to a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing germs producing toxins within the fang.
"The approach I follow is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.
The expert explained that as Lira did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented the curator.
The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
