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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent lioness saved from war-torn Ukraine has received critical dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang caused by an abscess.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," stated the dentist.

He believed the infection was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing germs producing harmful substances within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he said.

The expert clarified that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "complete success."

She noted the staff had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith.

The successful surgery marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.