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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has received critical dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.

The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

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

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," stated the dentist.

He thought the infection was caused by a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing germs producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

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

Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz 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 corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "total triumph."

She said the staff had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."

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

This vital operation represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.