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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang resulting from an infection.

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

The Rescue Center

The procedure was performed 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 right away the broken tooth was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.

He thought the infection was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing germs producing toxins within the fang.

"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.

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

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."

She said the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible 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 coming days," commented Ms Smith.

The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.