Rescued from Ukraine Lioness Receives Critical Dental Operation

A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion rescued from war-torn the war zone has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.

The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March 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 Rescue Center

The surgery was performed on last week by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.

He believed the infection was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs creating harmful substances inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.

The expert explained that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the staff had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, 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 major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.