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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 remove a severely infected fang caused by an infection.

The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was performed on last week by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, 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 believed the infection was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating harmful substances inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

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

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."

She said the staff had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," commented the curator.

The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.