A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received vital dental surgery to remove a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an infection.
Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was carried out on Friday 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 broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the infection was caused by a trauma sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing harmful substances within the fang.
"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.
Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, manager at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."
She noted the staff had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
