Saved Ukrainian Lion Receives Essential Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has received critical dental surgery to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an abscess.
Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was carried out on Friday by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.
The expert explained that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the operation 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 somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
