Lira the lioness undergoes dental surgery. (The Big Cat Sanctuary via SWNS)
By Isobel Williams
These pictures show dentists working on a lion - removing a massive infected canine while the 140kg big cat was sedated.
Three-year-old female Lira had the 8cm tooth taken out at the Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarsden, Kent last week.
Experienced dentist Peter Kertesz drained a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth before the large wound was closed with seven dissolving sutures.
He also performed a root canal on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected, cleaning and filling it with materials similar to those used for humans
(The Big Cat Sanctuary via SWNS)
Kertesz, of Zoodent International, estimated the infection was likely caused by a trauma sustained when Lira was between 1.5 and two years old, leading to bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.
The dentist said, “When I examined Lira’s jaw and mouth, I could see immediately that the broken tooth was severely infected.
“My philosophy is that non-human dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way.
"Lira doesn’t have to catch prey, so in this case, extraction was the most sensible and ethical solution. If it had been a less severe infection, I would have filled it.”
(The Big Cat Sanctuary via SWNS)
Lira was transported back to her home whilst still sedated, where the anaesthetic was reversed, allowing her to wake up safely under the care of the veterinary team.
Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, who oversaw the successful procedure, said: “We had noticed a small lump on Lira’s jawline, but it is impossible for us to know the extent of the problem in situations like this.
"I am so glad we booked her in, as it was a much bigger issue than any of us had anticipated.
“The procedure was a complete success. Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days.”
Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary from war-torn Ukraine following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 for her and four other rescued lions.