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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent 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 managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.

He believed the dental issue was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, leading to bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center 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 close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

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

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

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added Ms Smith.

The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.