Rescued from Ukraine Lion Receives Critical Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess.
The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by managing 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 procedure was performed on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said the dentist.
He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs producing harmful substances within the fang.
"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.
The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the extracted tooth 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 seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "complete success."
She noted the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."
"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 coming days," added Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
