🔗 Share this article

The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn the war zone has received critical dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an infection.

Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.

He believed the infection was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, leading to bacteria creating toxins inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.

The expert explained that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

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

She said the staff had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.

This vital operation represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.