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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an infection.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.

He believed the dental issue was caused by a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal dental problems 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, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

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

She noted the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.

The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.