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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent lioness saved from war-torn Ukraine has undergone critical dental surgery to extract a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an abscess.

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 fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," stated the dentist.

He thought the infection was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs producing toxins within the fang.

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

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

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the large wound 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 Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the staff had observed "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith.

The successful surgery represents a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.