🔗 Share this article Rescued from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Essential 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 A three-year-old lioness saved from war-torn Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an infection. The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £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 surgery was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines. "Upon inspecting 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 trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing harmful substances within the fang. "My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said. The expert explained that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution." The Big Cat Sanctuary Lira's extracted lower right canine tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches. He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected. The curator, manager at the facility, said the operation was a "complete success." She noted the staff had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was." "Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented Ms Smith. This vital operation marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.