🔗 Share this article

The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an infection.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

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

He believed the infection was due to a injury experienced over twelve months back, leading to bacteria creating harmful substances inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

The expert explained that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

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

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

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added Ms Smith.

The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.