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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received vital dental surgery to remove a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from 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 £500,000 to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Rescue Center

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

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

He thought the dental issue was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating harmful substances inside the tooth.

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

The expert explained that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, 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 beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

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

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

She said the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," commented the curator.

The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.