🔗 Share this article Saved Ukrainian Lion Undergoes Critical Dental Operation The Big Cat Sanctuary Lira the lioness from The Big Cat Sanctuary undergoing critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected lower right canine tooth An adolescent lioness saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has received critical oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an abscess. The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions. The Big Cat Sanctuary Two lions, Amani and Lira, were among the animals rescued from Ukraine and brought to the sanctuary The procedure was performed on Friday by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats. "Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," stated the dentist. He believed the dental issue was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing germs creating toxins inside the tooth. "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 clarified that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option." The Big Cat Sanctuary Lira's extracted lower right canine tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures. He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue. The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "total triumph." She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was." "Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented the curator. The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.