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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical dental surgery to extract a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.

Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.

He believed the infection was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he said.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

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

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

She said the team had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.

The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.