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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an abscess.

Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

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

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.

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

"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.

The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang 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 Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

She said the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable 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.