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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.

The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

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

He believed the dental issue was due to a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

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

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the operation was a "complete success."

She noted the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented the curator.

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