🔗 Share this article

The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness saved from war-torn Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an infection.

Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, leading to germs producing toxins within the fang.

"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

The expert explained that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "total triumph."

She said the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."

"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," added Ms Smith.

The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.