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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.

Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Rescue Center

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

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.

He believed the infection was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.

Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "complete success."

She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."

"Lira 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," commented the curator.

The successful surgery marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.