Saved from Ukraine Lioness Undergoes Critical Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.
Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was performed on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the dental issue was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, causing germs producing harmful substances within the fang.
"The approach I follow is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, curator at the facility, said the procedure was a "complete success."
She noted the staff had observed "a minor swelling 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 toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented the curator.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
