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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received vital oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.

Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was carried out on last week 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," stated the dentist.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing harmful substances within the fang.

"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he said.

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

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

The curator, curator at the facility, declared the procedure was a "complete success."

She noted the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.

This vital operation represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.