🔗 Share this article

The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang caused by an abscess.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," stated the dentist.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating toxins within the fang.

"The approach I follow is animal dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.

The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

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 close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the staff had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.

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