Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Receives Essential Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess.
The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was performed on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing germs producing harmful substances within the fang.
"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.
The expert explained that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, manager at the facility, said the procedure was a "total triumph."
She said the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
