Saved Ukrainian Lioness Receives Critical Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to remove a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an infection.
Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was performed on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.
He believed the infection was caused by a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."
She said the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
