Rescued from Ukraine Lion Receives Critical Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical dental surgery to remove a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an infection.
The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was performed on last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.
He thought the dental issue was due to a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating toxins within the fang.
"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and close 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.
Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."
She noted the staff had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."
"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, 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 marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.
