Saved Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Critical Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone vital dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang caused by an infection.
Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was performed 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 immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said the dentist.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing germs producing toxins within the fang.
"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.
Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus 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 discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."
She said the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
