Saved from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Critical Surgery
The Big Cat Sanctuary
An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.
Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.
The Big Cat Sanctuary
The procedure was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," stated the dentist.
He believed the infection was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs creating harmful substances within the fang.
"The approach I follow is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
The expert explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.
Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "complete success."
She said the team had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."
"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.
This vital operation marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.
