Saved Ukrainian Lion Receives Essential Dental Operation

The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has received critical oral operation to remove a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an abscess.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was performed on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, 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 the dentist.

He thought the infection was due to a trauma sustained over twelve months back, leading to bacteria producing toxins within the fang.

"The approach I follow is animal dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.

The expert explained that as Lira did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

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

The curator, manager at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."

She noted the staff had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.

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