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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist.

He thought the infection was due to a trauma sustained over twelve months back, causing germs producing toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

The expert explained that as the lioness 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 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the procedure was a "complete success."

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

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

This vital operation represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.