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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness saved from war-torn the war zone has received vital dental surgery to extract a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.

The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was carried out on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," stated the dentist.

He believed the infection was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating harmful substances inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow 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, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the procedure was a "complete success."

She said the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.

This vital operation represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.