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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.

The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after 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 Rescue Center

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

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.

He thought the dental issue was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.

Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira 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 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

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

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

She said the staff had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added Ms Smith.

This vital operation marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.