Rescued from Ukraine Lion Receives Essential Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has received critical oral operation to remove a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an infection.
The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was carried out on Friday by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.
He thought the infection was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing germs producing harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.
The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She said the team had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.