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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an infection.

The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was carried out on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.

He believed the infection was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing harmful substances within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

The expert explained that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

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

She said the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "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 begin improving over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.

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