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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone critical dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an infection.

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

The Rescue Center

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

"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist.

He believed the dental issue was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems need to be treated 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, extraction 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 extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

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

Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."

She said the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" 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 toxins are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added Ms Smith.

This vital operation represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.