Saved from Ukraine Lion Receives Critical Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.
The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was performed on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was due to a trauma sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
The expert explained that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center reported 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 seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, curator at the facility, said the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," added Ms Smith.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
