Saved Ukrainian Lion Receives Essential Surgery

The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent lioness saved from war-torn the war zone has received vital oral operation to remove a badly decayed fang caused by an infection.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was carried out on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained over twelve months back, leading to germs creating toxins inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.

The expert clarified that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center said the extracted tooth 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 additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

She said the staff had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," commented the curator.

This vital operation represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.