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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent lioness saved from war-torn Ukraine has received critical oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an infection.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.

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 Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, leading to germs producing harmful substances within the fang.

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

Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

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 Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "complete success."

She noted the team had observed "a small lump 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 toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," commented the curator.

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