Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium's lion gets root canal

PITTSBURGH — One of the lions at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium has a rather unnerving appointment Tuesday.

Razi, the zoo’s 8-year-old African lion, will undergo a root canal.

Zookeepers discovered the tooth problem during one of their daily health checks.  An oral exam and X-rays showed Razi had a complicated crown fracture of his large upper canine tooth.

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The zoo’s veterinarian isn’t sure how the tooth was broken, but said it could be related to his previously diagnosed epilepsy.  In order to save the tooth, a dentist must do a root canal.

A human dentist will perform the procedure and will work with veterinary staff during the root canal. Zoo officials said the procedure will be challenging because of the size of the lion’s tooth.  A lion’s tooth can be up to 4 inches in length.

Razi will be administered an injectable anesthetic, and once asleep will be transported to the Animal Care Center for the procedure.  Staff will make sure there is no abscess present, then will begin the root canal.

After the procedure, zookeepers will stay with Razi until he is fully awake and able to rejoin his brother Ajani in the lion building.

Cox Media Group