🔗 Share this article

A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has received critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.

The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, 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 the dentist.

He thought the infection was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing germs producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he said.

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

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

The curator, manager at the facility, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," commented the curator.

The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.