🔗 Share this article

A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received vital dental surgery to remove a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an abscess.

Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure 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," said Mr Kertesz.

He thought the dental issue was due to a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing germs creating toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.

The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

The curator, curator at the facility, said the operation was a "total triumph."

She said the team had observed "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.

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