Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Undergoes Essential Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
An adolescent female lion rescued from war-torn the war zone has received vital oral operation to remove a severely infected fang caused by an abscess.
Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He believed the infection was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs producing toxins inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.
Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "complete success."
She said the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness 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," added Ms Smith.
The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
