🔗 Share this article

The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has undergone vital dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.

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

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was performed on last week by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," stated the dentist.

He believed the infection was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, leading to bacteria producing toxins within the fang.

"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

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

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

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

The curator, curator at the facility, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the team had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.

This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.