Saved Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Essential Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old lioness saved from war-torn Ukraine has received critical oral operation to remove a severely infected fang caused by an infection.
Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to support 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 the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.
He thought the infection was due to a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating harmful substances inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, manager at the facility, said the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the team had spotted "a small lump 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 next few days," added Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
