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The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery 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 damaged fang was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury experienced 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 safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.

Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the staff had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."

"Lira 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," added Ms Smith.

The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.