Rescued from Ukraine Lion Receives Essential Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to remove a badly decayed fang caused by an abscess.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was performed on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, leading to bacteria creating harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, manager at the facility, declared the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the team had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.
This vital operation marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.