Saved from Ukraine Lion Receives Essential Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess.
Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was performed on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said the dentist.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, leading to bacteria producing toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "complete success."
She said the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "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 coming days," commented the curator.
This vital operation represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
