🔗 Share this article Saved from Ukraine Lioness Receives Critical Dental Operation A Wildlife Rescue Center Lira the lioness from The Big Cat Sanctuary undergoing critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected lower right canine tooth An adolescent lioness saved from war-torn the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess. The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine. The Big Cat Sanctuary Two lions, Amani and Lira, were among the animals rescued from Ukraine and brought to the sanctuary The procedure was carried out on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats. "Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz. He believed the dental issue was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, leading to bacteria creating harmful substances within the fang. "My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he said. Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option." The Big Cat Sanctuary The removed fang measured 8 centimeters, equivalent to 3.14 inches The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures. He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected. The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "complete success." She noted the staff had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem." "The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the toxins 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.