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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an infection.

The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Rescue Center

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

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.

He believed the infection was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, leading to germs producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

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

Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

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

She said the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added the curator.

The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.