Five Sisters Zoo: Lion gets groundbreaking dental surgery

First in the dentist's chair was Boss, who was given root canal treatment with the help of SAFIRA, a regional anaesthesia device developed by NHS clinicians in Norfolk.

Boss is one of several lions brought to the zoo seven years ago after being rescued from a Belgian travelling circus.

Boss, from Five Sisters Zoo, became the first animal in the world to have dental surgery using a revolutionary regional anaesthesia device.

Susan Thorne, clinical director of DentalVets, carried out the procedure on Boss, who had two teeth extractions.

Speaking afterwards, she said: The SAFIRA system was easy to use and allowed me to accurately place my oral blocks."

Adele Copland, Operations Supervisor at Five Sisters Zoo added: “We were happy to try this new way of reducing any mouth discomfort they may have had after their specialist dental treatment.

“Sadly they arrived here with damaged teeth from their mistreatment at the circus.

“They have bounced back wonderfully after their treatment.”

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