Rescued Ukrainian Lion Undergoes Essential Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an abscess.
Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was carried out on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs producing toxins within the fang.
"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.
The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, curator at the facility, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She noted the staff had observed "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added the curator.
The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
