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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent lioness saved from war-torn Ukraine has received vital oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after 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 cared for hundreds of large felines.

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

He thought the dental issue was due to a trauma sustained over twelve months back, leading to germs producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he said.

Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

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

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

She noted the team had observed "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable 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 the curator.

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