Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.
Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was carried out on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the infection was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs producing harmful substances inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.
The expert explained that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, 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 spotted "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 begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.
This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
