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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, 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," said the dentist.

He believed the infection was caused by a injury experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs producing harmful substances within the fang.

"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening 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, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "complete success."

She said 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 begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added the curator.

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