Saved from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Essential Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has received vital dental surgery to extract a badly decayed fang caused by an abscess.
The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was carried out on last week 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 highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.
He thought the infection was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs producing harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he said.
The expert explained that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
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, declared the operation was a "complete success."
She said the staff had observed "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.