Rescued Ukrainian Lion Undergoes Essential Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to remove a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an infection.
The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was carried out on last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said the dentist.
He thought the dental issue was due to a injury experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.
"The approach I follow is animal dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he said.
The expert explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.
He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the procedure was a "complete success."
She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.
