Saved Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Critical Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang caused by an infection.
The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was due to a injury sustained more than a year ago, leading to bacteria creating harmful substances within the fang.
"The approach I follow is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.
The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the procedure was a "complete success."
She said the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.
The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
