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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.

The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 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 Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist.

He thought the infection was caused by a trauma sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

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

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

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

The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "complete success."

She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.

This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.