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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an abscess.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was performed on last week by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.

He thought the infection was caused by a trauma sustained over twelve months back, leading to bacteria producing toxins within the fang.

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

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

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the staff had observed "a minor swelling 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 out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added Ms Smith.

The successful surgery represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.