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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an infection.

Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The procedure was performed on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

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

He believed the infection was due to a injury sustained over twelve months back, leading to bacteria producing toxins within the fang.

"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he said.

The expert explained 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 Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the team had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.

This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.