🔗 Share this article Saved Ukrainian Lion Undergoes Critical Dental Operation The Big Cat Sanctuary A lioness named Lira receiving essential dental care to extract a badly infected tooth An adolescent lioness saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has received vital oral operation to remove a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess. The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine. The Rescue Center Two lions, Amani and Lira, were among the animals rescued from Ukraine and brought to the sanctuary The procedure was performed on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats. "When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," stated the dentist. He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing germs creating harmful substances within the fang. "The approach I follow is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained. The expert explained that as the lioness 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 rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches. He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue. The curator, manager at the facility, said the procedure was a "complete success." She noted the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem." "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 next few days," commented the curator. The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.