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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to extract a badly decayed fang resulting from an infection.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Rescue Center

The procedure was carried out on Friday by 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," said Mr Kertesz.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs creating toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

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

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."

She said the staff had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith.

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