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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion rescued from war-torn the war zone has received vital oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was performed on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

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

He believed the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, causing germs creating harmful substances inside the tooth.

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

The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, 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."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," added Ms Smith.

The successful surgery represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.