Saved from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Essential Dental Operation
The Big Cat Sanctuary
A three-year-old lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.
The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised ÂŁ500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Rescue Center
The procedure was carried out 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 damaged fang was highly inflamed," said the dentist.
He believed the infection was due to a injury experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.
The expert explained that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.
Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the operation was a "complete success."
She said the team had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.
This vital operation represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.