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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to remove a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an abscess.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.

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

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

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

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

She said the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness 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 coming days," added the curator.

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