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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to remove a badly decayed fang caused by an abscess.

Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after 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 Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.

He thought the infection was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating toxins inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he said.

Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said 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 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 Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the staff had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.

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