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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent lioness saved from war-torn Ukraine has undergone critical dental surgery to extract a severely infected fang caused by an abscess.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing germs creating toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

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

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

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.

This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.