🔗 Share this article Saved from Ukraine Lion Receives Essential 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 An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has received vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an abscess. The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds 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 dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats. "When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated the dentist. He thought the infection was caused by a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing harmful substances within the fang. "The approach I follow is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said. The expert explained that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, extraction 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 extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures. He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue. Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph." She noted the team had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem." "Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith. This vital operation marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.