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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.

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

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was carried out on last week by 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 severely infected," said the dentist.

He believed the dental issue was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.

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

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

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

Briony Smith, manager at the facility, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the staff had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible 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 begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.

The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.