Saved from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Critical Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent lioness saved from war-torn the war zone has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an infection.
Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.
He thought the infection was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs producing harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary said the removed fang 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 seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She noted the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "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 next few days," commented Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.