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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness saved from war-torn the war zone has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an infection.

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

The Rescue Center

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

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing harmful substances within the fang.

"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.

Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

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

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

She noted the team had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.

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