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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn the war zone has received vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an infection.

The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the significant opening 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 facility, said the operation was a "complete success."

She noted the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "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 coming days," added the curator.

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