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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has received vital dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an infection.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was performed on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

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

He believed the infection was caused by a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing harmful substances within the fang.

"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.

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

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

The curator, manager at the facility, declared the procedure was a "complete success."

She noted the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added Ms Smith.

This vital operation marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.