đź”— Share this article Saved from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Critical Surgery The Big Cat Sanctuary A lioness named Lira receiving essential dental care to extract a badly infected tooth An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess. The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected ÂŁ500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions. The Big Cat Sanctuary Amani and Lira are two of the big cats from Ukraine that arrived in March The procedure was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats. "When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist. He thought the dental issue was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating harmful substances within the fang. "The approach I follow is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained. The expert explained that as the lioness no longer required 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 sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures. He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue. The curator, curator at the facility, 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 "the extent of the problem." "The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented Ms Smith. This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.