Rescued Ukrainian Lion Receives Essential Dental Operation

A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an abscess.

The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was performed on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.

He thought the infection was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, leading to bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening 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, manager at the facility, said the operation was a "complete success."

She noted the team had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "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 next few days," commented Ms Smith.

The successful surgery marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.