Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Receives Essential Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an infection.
The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, 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 Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was due to a injury experienced over twelve months back, leading to bacteria creating toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, said the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "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 coming days," added Ms Smith.
The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
