Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Receives Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has undergone critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang caused by an infection.
The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating harmful substances inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, curator at the facility, said the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."
"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
