Saved Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Critical Dental Operation

The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion rescued from war-torn the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to remove a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.

He thought the infection was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating harmful substances inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is animal dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he said.

Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth 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, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added Ms Smith.

This vital operation marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.