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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed fang caused by an abscess.

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

The Rescue Center

The surgery was carried out on last week 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 broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.

He thought the infection was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, leading to bacteria producing toxins within the fang.

"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.

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

The Animal Rescue Facility

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

He additionally conducted a dental procedure 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 spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."

"Lira 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 next few days," added the curator.

The successful surgery marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.