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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an abscess.

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

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

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

He believed the infection was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing germs creating toxins inside the tooth.

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

Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

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

Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "complete success."

She said the team had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "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 begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.

This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.