Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Receives Essential Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed fang caused by an infection.
The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was performed on last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.
He believed the dental issue was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, leading to bacteria creating toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.
The expert clarified that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "complete success."
She said the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.
The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
