Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Receives Critical Surgery
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has received critical dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.
The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was carried out on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the infection was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he said.
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 removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth 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, curator at the facility, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She said the team had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."
"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.
The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
