🔗 Share this article

The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent lioness saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital oral operation to remove a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an infection.

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

The Rescue Center

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

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

He believed the infection was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, leading to bacteria creating toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

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

Briony Smith, manager at the facility, said the procedure was a "complete success."

She noted the staff had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," commented the curator.

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