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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to extract a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.

The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.

He thought the infection was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating harmful substances within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.

Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz 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 opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

The curator, curator at the facility, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added Ms Smith.

The successful surgery marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.