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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has received critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.

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

The Rescue Center

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

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said the dentist.

He believed the infection was caused by a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "complete success."

She said the staff 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 initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.

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