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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion rescued from war-torn Ukraine has received vital dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an abscess.

The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was carried out 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 immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.

He thought the infection was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, leading to bacteria producing toxins within the fang.

"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he said.

The expert explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

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

She noted the staff had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.

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