🔗 Share this article Rescued Ukrainian Lion 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 A three-year-old female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical dental surgery to extract a badly decayed fang caused by an abscess. Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds 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 carried out on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats. "Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz. He believed the infection was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, leading to bacteria creating harmful substances within the fang. "The approach I follow is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained. The expert explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution." The Animal Rescue Facility The removed fang measured 8 centimeters, equivalent to 3.14 inches The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures. He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue. Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "complete success." She noted the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was." "Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator. The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.