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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has received vital oral operation to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.

He thought the infection was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing toxins inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang 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.

The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "total triumph."

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

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.

This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.