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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent lioness saved from war-torn Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an infection.

The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

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

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.

He believed the infection was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.

Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

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

Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "complete success."

She noted the team had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added the curator.

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