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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical dental surgery to extract a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.

The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said the dentist.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, leading to bacteria creating harmful substances inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is animal 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 "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

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

She noted the team had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added Ms Smith.

The successful surgery marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.