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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old female lion rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang caused by an infection.

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

The Rescue Center

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

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

He believed the infection was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs creating harmful substances within the fang.

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

The expert clarified that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

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

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

She said the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.

This vital operation marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.