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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has received vital oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.

The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The procedure was performed on last week by veterinary 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 broken tooth was severely infected," stated the dentist.

He believed the infection was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing germs creating harmful substances within the fang.

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

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

The Animal Rescue Facility

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

He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

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

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

"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith.

This vital operation represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.