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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has received critical dental surgery to extract a severely infected fang caused by an infection.

Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

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

He believed the dental issue was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, causing germs creating harmful substances within the fang.

"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.

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

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

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

Briony Smith, curator at the facility, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

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

"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented the curator.

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