Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Critical Surgery

A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent lioness saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an abscess.

The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The procedure was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.

He believed the dental issue was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He also performed a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added Ms Smith.

The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.