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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old female lion rescued from war-torn the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was performed on Friday 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 severely infected," said the dentist.

He believed the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained over twelve months back, leading to germs producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

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

Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

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

The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."

She said the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, 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 Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.