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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 resulting from an infection.

Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Rescue Center

The procedure was performed on last week 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 right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.

He believed the dental issue was caused by a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing germs creating toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth 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.

Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "complete success."

She said the team had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "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 coming days," added Ms Smith.

This vital operation represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.