🔗 Share this article

The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent lioness saved from war-torn Ukraine has received vital dental surgery to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess.

Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was performed on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.

He believed the infection was caused by a injury experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs creating toxins inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "complete success."

She said the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added the curator.

This vital operation represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.