Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Receives Essential Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone vital oral operation to remove a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an abscess.
The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to 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 explained.
Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, curator at the facility, declared the procedure was a "complete success."
She said the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.
This vital operation represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
