A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang caused by an infection.
The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was performed on Friday by 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 highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was due to a injury experienced over twelve months back, causing germs creating harmful substances inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.
Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, 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 represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
