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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness saved from war-torn the war zone has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a badly decayed fang caused by an abscess.

The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was carried out on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

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

He thought the infection was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, leading to bacteria producing harmful substances within the fang.

"The approach I follow 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 no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

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

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

She said the staff had observed "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added Ms Smith.

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