Saved from Ukraine Lion Receives Critical Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old female lion rescued from war-torn Ukraine has received vital dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang caused by an abscess.
Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was carried out on last week 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," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs creating toxins inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "complete success."
She said the staff had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.
This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.