- Discover how specialised dental procedures, extractions and filling of root canals help protect the long-term health of LIONSROCK’s big cats.
Bethlehem – In recognition of World Oral Health Day observed on 20 March, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS is drawing attention to an often-overlooked but essential aspect of big cat wellbeing: dental health. At LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in the Free State, rescued animals receive specialised dental procedures that not only ease pain but also safeguard their long-term health and overall quality of life.
Sanctuary Manager Hildegard Pirker has witnessed the profound impact of dental treatment on the big cats in their care, “when a big cat stops chewing on one side, becomes reluctant to eat, or grows quieter than usual, their teeth often tell a story long before we do,” says Hildegard. “A toothache is painful for any living being. But big cats don’t always show pain until it is serious, and we have an obligation to act as soon as we see signs of discomfort.
Many of LIONSROCK’s residents arrive with dental trauma caused by years of neglect, malnutrition, cage-biting, or abuse. Left untreated, dental infections can spread through the bloodstream, placing vital organs at risk, particularly in older animals with weakened immune systems.
Behind the scenes of a life-changing procedure
When a big cat requires dental care, the sanctuary’s expert team springs into action. The animal is safely immobilised and transported to the on-site veterinary clinic, where a full oral examination and dental X-rays are performed to identify fractures, abscesses or problems hidden below the gum line. We often find more than one tooth in need of treatment.
If a tooth is too damaged to save, the veterinary dentist performs an extraction by creating a gingival flap, removing part of the surrounding bone and carefully freeing the deeply rooted tooth. “People often imagine dental care as routine,” Hildegard explains. “But in a big cat, removing one tooth can take hours. ”
“Whenever possible, the team uses root canal therapy to preserve critical teeth, especially canines, which are essential to a big cat’s natural behaviours,” Hildegard says. “Their canines aren’t just teeth; they’re tools for expression and for living naturally.”
Holistic care under one anaesthetic
Because anesthesia carries inherent risks for large carnivores, the LIONSROCK team conducts a complete health check during each procedure. This includes blood and urine sampling, a full physical exam, claw and skin assessment, vaccinations, fluid therapy, vitamins, and tailored pain management. “We treat the whole animal, not just the tooth,” Hildegard emphasises. “Our goal is always long-term comfort, safety and dignity.”
A pain-free life in their forever home
Specialised dental care is a crucial element of sanctuary life, allowing the rescued animals to enjoy a peaceful, pain-free existence after years of suffering. “Only when a big cat is free from pain can it truly enjoy its forever home,” Hildegard reflects. “Happy mouths really do mean happier lives.”
This World Oral Health Day, FOUR PAWS is proud to highlight the important work happening at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary and encourages the public to support initiatives that provide lifelong, species-appropriate care to animals rescued from exploitation.
For more information, please visit our website at lionsrock.org
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Author: Deidre Daniels from FOUR PAWS on behalf of FOUR PAWS.
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