Incredible moment dentist removes 8cm infected tooth from 140kg lioness | UK | News
Incredible footage shows a dentist operating on a lioness removing a large infected canine tooth from the 140kg big cat while under sedation. The 8cm tusk of the three-year-old female named Lira was removed at the Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarsden, Kent.
Experienced dentist Peter Kertesz drained the abscess under the tooth before the large wound was stitched up with seven dissolvable stitches. He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposite upper canine tooth, which was found to be infected, and cleaned and filled it with materials similar to those used on humans.
Mr Kertesz, of Zoodent International, speculated that the infection was probably caused by trauma Lira suffered when she was between one and a half and two years old, which caused bacteria to produce toxins within the tooth.
The dentist said: “When I examined Lira’s jaw and mouth, I could immediately see that the broken tooth was severely infected. “My philosophy is that non-human dental problems should be treated in the most predictable, least invasive and safest way.
“The lyre is not required to catch prey, so removing it was the most logical and ethical solution in this case. If it had been a less severe infection, I would have stuffed it.”
While still under sedation, Lira was transported home, where the anesthesia was reversed, allowing her to wake up safely under the supervision of the veterinary team.
The Big Cat Sanctuary curator Briony Smith, who oversaw the successful operation, said: “We had noticed a small lump around Lira’s jawline, but in cases like this it is impossible to know the extent of the problem. “I’m so glad we booked her because it was a much bigger problem than any of us expected.
“The procedure was completely successful. Lira will be a little uncomfortable at first, but now that the toxins in her body have been removed, she will start to feel much better in the coming days.”
Lira was brought to the Big Cat Sanctuary from war-torn Ukraine following a campaign by chief executive Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 for her and four other rescued lions.
