Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Receives Essential Dental Operation

The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old female lion rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has received vital oral operation to remove a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an abscess.

The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was performed on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, 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," stated Mr Kertesz.

He thought the dental issue was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing germs producing toxins inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira 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 extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure 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 noted the team had observed "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added Ms Smith.

This vital operation marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.