Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Receives Critical Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old female lion saved from war-torn the war zone has received vital dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.
Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was performed on Friday by 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," said the dentist.
He thought the infection was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, causing germs producing harmful substances inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he said.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" 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 removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.
This vital operation represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
