Saved from Ukraine Lioness Receives Critical Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone vital oral operation to remove a badly decayed fang caused by an abscess.
The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was carried out on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said the dentist.
He thought the infection was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.
Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."
She noted the team 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 somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added the curator.
The successful surgery marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
