A King cobra in India has undergone emergency dentistry treatment.

Keepers at the Van Vihar national park in India had to call in the services of an emergency dentist earlier this week in order to help save the life of a King cobra.

The 11ft venomous snake had developed an infection in its mouth and was unable to use its fangs – as it had been part of a snake charming act – but officials from the reserve were able to seize the animal and administer care to it.

“It is the first time that we are operating on a King cobra and we never had a cobra. The treatment was essential as the veins connecting the poison glands were damaged,” commented AK Khare, deputy director at Van Vihar national park.

Elsewhere, the Telegraph recently reported Cyrano – a North American bald eagle – had a big problem with his beak after it had become entangled in some heavy-duty fishing line.

However, dentist Kirk Johnson was able to rebuild the top half of the bird’s beak using cosmetic dentistry putty, making the animal the world’s first bird to receive a filling.