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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent lioness rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang resulting from an infection.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said the dentist.

He believed the dental issue was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to bacteria creating toxins inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.

The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

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

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

She said the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials 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 the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.