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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical dental surgery to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess.

The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," stated the dentist.

He believed the infection was due to a injury experienced over twelve months back, leading to bacteria producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, extraction 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 extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

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

The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "total triumph."

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

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.

The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.