Saved Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Essential Dental Operation

The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion rescued from war-torn Ukraine has received critical dental surgery to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an infection.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," stated the dentist.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating harmful substances inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

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

She noted the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith.

The successful surgery marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.