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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old female lion rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone critical dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang caused by an infection.

The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Rescue Center

The procedure was performed on last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.

He thought the infection was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing germs producing harmful substances within the fang.

"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he said.

The expert explained that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

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

She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.

This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.