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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has undergone vital oral operation 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 fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

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

He believed the dental issue was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing germs producing harmful substances within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he said.

The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, extraction 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 remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."

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."

"The lioness 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 next few days," added the curator.

This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.