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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.

Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was carried out on last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.

He thought the dental issue was due to a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing harmful substances within the fang.

"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "complete success."

She said the team had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."

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

The successful surgery marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.