Rescued from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Critical Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.
He thought the infection was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
The expert explained that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus 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, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."
She said the team had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."
"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.
This vital operation marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
