PAWS Rescue Clinic Story
Cuddle Pie
The Little Guinea Pig Who Refused to Give Up
A story of tiny paws, big courage, advanced veterinary care, and the rescue community that helped one much-loved guinea pig recover.
JOURNEY
August 2025 – ongoing
SUPPORT GIVEN
Abscess, dental and recovery care
Meet Cuddle Pie
Cuddle Pie had already captured hearts long before she became a medical patient. A permanent foster guinea pig with Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue, she was known for her sweet nature, expressive face and remarkable determination.
Despite living with a congenital splay leg affecting her right hind limb, she remained active, bright and full of personality. But in mid-2025, her carers noticed she was eating less, losing weight and becoming increasingly dependent on syringe feeding.
Veterinary care donated
Nearly $600
Through Little Pet Vet and the PAWS Rescue Clinic, Cuddle Pie received diagnostics, blood testing, radiography, culture testing, hospitalisation, dental treatment, abscess surgery, antibiotic beads, medication and follow-up care.
Jaw abscess care
Culture testing
Dental correction
Antibiotic beads
Supportive feeding
A tiny patient with a hidden problem
When Cuddle Pie’s appetite began to fade, her carers knew something was wrong. She had started eating less enthusiastically, losing weight and relying more heavily on Critical Care syringe feeding.
During examination at Little Pet Vet, a firm swelling was found deep within the left side of her jaw. Fine needle aspiration confirmed purulent material, and the smell and appearance were consistent with a significant abscess beneath the surface.
When antibiotics were not enough
Culture and sensitivity testing helped identify the bacteria involved, and antibiotics were started to target the infection. But despite treatment, the abscess repeatedly filled and ruptured.
Each recurrence made it harder for Cuddle Pie to eat normally. Her weight fell from around 750 g to 680 g, and it became clear that supportive feeding and oral antibiotics alone were not going to be enough to give her the recovery she needed.
The surgery that gave her a chance
In August 2025, Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue approved advanced diagnostics and surgery. Blood testing, skull radiographs, repeat bacterial cultures, dental assessment and surgical exploration were all performed to give Cuddle Pie the best chance of recovery.
During surgery, the abscess was found to involve multiple compartments deep within the tissues of the left jaw. Necrotic tissue was carefully debrided, the cavity was cleaned and marsupialised to allow ongoing drainage, and antibiotic beads were implanted directly into the infected area. At the same time, her incisors and cheek teeth were corrected to help her eat again.
Small steps back to strength
The weeks after surgery required patience and commitment. Cuddle Pie continued receiving medications, regular rechecks, dental management and intensive supportive feeding while her carers worked to encourage her to eat on her own.
Slowly, the swelling resolved. Her surgical site healed beautifully, her weight stabilised, and her appetite improved. By September, there was no evidence of ongoing infection, and she was eating a wider variety of foods including grass, pellets and vegetables again.
Cuddle Pie’s journey
A simple timeline of the moments that shaped her recovery.
1 August 2025
Cuddle Pie was examined for reduced appetite and weight loss. A swelling on the left mandible was aspirated and confirmed to contain purulent material consistent with abscessation.
Early August 2025
Culture and sensitivity testing identified bacteria and guided antibiotic treatment, but the abscess continued to refill and rupture despite medical care.
21 August 2025
Major surgery was performed to debride the left jaw abscess, marsupialise the wound, implant antibiotic beads and correct incisor and cheek tooth overgrowth.
27 August 2025
At her post-operative check, swelling had reduced dramatically, facial appearance had returned to normal, and her weight had increased from 680 g to 700 g.
September 2025
The surgical site was healing beautifully with no evidence of residual infection. Ongoing work focused on encouraging hay and grass intake and monitoring her dental health.
Ongoing
Cuddle Pie continues to require dental monitoring and occasional supportive care, but she is brighter, stronger and enjoying life again.
What PAWS support helped provide
Veterinary consultations
Blood testing
Skull radiographs
Culture and sensitivity testing
Dental trimming and float
Abscess surgery
Antibiotic bead implantation
Hospitalisation and nursing
Medication and supportive feeding
“Her recovery was built on many small acts of care: every syringe feed, every medication dose, every recheck, and every moment someone chose to keep believing in her.”
The Team Behind Cuddle Pie
Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue
Committed to advanced treatment for a tiny permanent foster guinea pig when antibiotics alone were not enough.
Foster Carers
Provided syringe feeding, medication, daily monitoring, comfort and the patience needed to help her recover.
Little Pet Vet
Performed diagnostics, culture testing, dental correction, abscess surgery, antibiotic bead implantation and ongoing recovery care.
See more of Cuddle Pie’s story at Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue
Here
Cuddle Pie’s legacy
Cuddle Pie’s journey is a powerful reminder that small animals deserve big care. What began as a severe jaw abscess with weight loss became a story of recovery made possible by dedicated foster carers, rescue volunteers and veterinary support.
Through the partnership between Little Pet Vet and the PAWS Rescue Clinic, nearly $600 worth of veterinary services were donated to support Cuddle Pie’s treatment journey.
Today, Cuddle Pie is brighter, stronger and enjoying life again, with ongoing monitoring to help keep her comfortable and well.
Thank you for being part of Cuddle Pie’s journey and for supporting animals in need.