Rescued from Ukraine Lion Receives Critical Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received vital oral operation to remove a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an infection.
The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected ÂŁ500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained over twelve months back, leading to germs producing toxins inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is animal dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the team had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.
This vital operation represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
