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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was carried out 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 immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.

He believed the infection was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing germs creating harmful substances inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.

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 rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, manager at the facility, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

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

"The lioness 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 next few days," added Ms Smith.

This vital operation represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.