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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to remove a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an abscess.

The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Rescue Center

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

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.

He believed the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained over twelve months back, leading to bacteria producing toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he said.

Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

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

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

She noted the staff had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.

This vital operation represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.