🔗 Share this article Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Undergoes Critical Dental Operation The Big Cat Sanctuary A lioness named Lira receiving essential dental care to extract a badly infected tooth A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an infection. Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine. The Big Cat Sanctuary Amani and Lira are two of the big cats from Ukraine that arrived in March The surgery was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats. "When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said the dentist. He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing toxins within the fang. "The approach I follow is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained. Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option." The Big Cat Sanctuary The removed fang measured 8 centimeters, equivalent to 3.14 inches The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract 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 opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue. The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "complete success." She noted the team had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem." "Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added Ms Smith. This vital operation marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.