Rescued from Ukraine Lion Receives Essential Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.
The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The surgery was performed on Friday by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.
"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.
He believed the infection was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he said.
The expert clarified that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove 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 opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
The curator, curator at the facility, said the operation was a "total triumph."
She said the team had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "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 begin improving over the next few days," commented the curator.
The successful surgery represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
