Saved Ukrainian Lioness Receives Essential Dental Operation
A Wildlife Rescue Center
A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.
Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.
The Rescue Center
The surgery was performed on Friday by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.
"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," stated the dentist.
He believed the infection was caused by a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing germs creating harmful substances within the fang.
"My philosophy is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.
The expert explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."
The Animal Rescue Facility
The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth 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.
Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the procedure was a "complete success."
She noted the team had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."
"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added Ms Smith.
This vital operation represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.
