🔗 Share this article Rescued Ukrainian Lion Receives Essential Dental Operation The Big Cat Sanctuary Lira the lioness from The Big Cat Sanctuary undergoing critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected lower right canine tooth An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang caused by an abscess. The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine. The Big Cat Sanctuary Amani and Lira are two of the big cats from Ukraine that arrived in March The surgery was performed on last week by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines. "When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist. He believed the dental issue was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs producing toxins inside the tooth. "The approach I follow is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained. The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution." The Big Cat Sanctuary The removed fang measured 8 centimeters, equivalent to 3.14 inches The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures. He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue. Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "complete success." She said the staff had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was." "The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith. The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.