🔗 Share this article Rescued Ukrainian Lion Undergoes 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 A three-year-old female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess. The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions. The Big Cat Sanctuary Amani and Lira are two of the big cats from Ukraine that arrived in March The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats. "When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz. He believed the infection was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, leading to bacteria creating toxins within the fang. "My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said. Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option." The Animal Rescue Facility The removed fang measured 8 centimeters, equivalent to 3.14 inches The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures. He also performed a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue. Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "total triumph." She noted the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was." "Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator. This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.