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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness saved from war-torn the war zone has received vital 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 director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was carried out on last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs producing toxins within the fang.

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

Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "total triumph."

She said the team 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 initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith.

This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.