Saved from Ukraine Lioness Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent lioness saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received vital oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.
The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was carried out on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing germs creating toxins inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.
Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.
The successful surgery represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
