Saved from Ukraine Lioness Undergoes Essential Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent lioness saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received vital dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang caused by an abscess.
Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was performed on Friday by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the infection was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing harmful substances inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he said.
The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "complete success."
She noted the staff had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.