Rescued Ukrainian Lion Receives Critical Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.
Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs creating toxins inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract 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 corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, manager at the facility, declared the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the staff had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible 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 begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.
The successful surgery marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
