Rescued from Ukraine Lion Receives Critical Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent lioness saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has received vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an infection.
The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.
He thought the infection was due to a injury sustained more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he said.
The expert explained that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "complete success."
She noted the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added Ms Smith.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
