Saved Ukrainian Lion Undergoes Essential Surgery

The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent lioness saved from war-torn the war zone has received vital dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang caused by an infection.

Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was carried out on Friday by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said the dentist.

He believed the infection was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating toxins inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

The expert explained that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.

The successful surgery represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.