🔗 Share this article

The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness saved from war-torn the war zone has received critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.

The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Rescue Center

The procedure was performed on Friday by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist.

He thought the infection was due to a injury sustained more than a year ago, leading to germs producing toxins inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

The expert clarified that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."

She said the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented the curator.

This vital operation marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.