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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received vital dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.

The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, causing germs producing toxins inside the tooth.

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

The expert explained that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

The curator, curator at the facility, said the operation was a "complete success."

She said the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.

This vital operation represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.