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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical dental surgery to extract a severely infected fang caused by an infection.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was performed on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.

He believed the infection was caused by a injury experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs creating toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center said the removed fang 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 root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

The curator, curator at the facility, declared the procedure was a "complete success."

She noted the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness 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 next few days," added the curator.

This vital operation represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.