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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital oral operation to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an infection.

The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The procedure was performed on Friday by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"Upon inspecting 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 bacteria creating harmful substances inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

The curator, manager at the facility, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

She said the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."

"Lira 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 next few days," added the curator.

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