Rescued Ukrainian Lion Receives Essential Dental Operation

A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March 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 procedure was performed on Friday by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.

He believed the dental issue was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "complete success."

She noted the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."

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

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