Saved from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Critical Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion saved from war-torn the war zone has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an infection.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the dental issue was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing germs producing harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he said.
The expert clarified that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, removal 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 the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "complete success."
She said 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 toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added the curator.
This vital operation represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.