Rescued from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Critical Dental Operation

The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The procedure was performed on last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said the dentist.

He thought the dental issue was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating toxins inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.

The expert clarified that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "total triumph."

She said the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.

The successful surgery represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.