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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The procedure was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.

He believed the dental issue was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs producing toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.

The expert explained that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, curator at the facility, said the procedure was a "complete success."

She noted the staff had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.

The successful surgery marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.