PAWS Rescue Clinic Story
Fluffykins
Born with Challenges, Surrounded by Love
A story of chronic dental disease, jaw abscess care, specialised treatment, and one cheeky rabbit who kept finding joy in every day.
JOURNEY
2023 – ongoing care
SUPPORT GIVEN
Dental and jaw abscess care
Meet Fluffykins
When Fluffykins first came into rescue care, life was already stacked against her. Born with a severely misaligned jaw, she faced a condition that many rabbits never fully overcome.
Her incisors eventually had to be removed, and throughout her life she has needed ongoing monitoring to manage the effects of her unusual jaw shape and chronic dental disease. Yet despite everything, Fluffykins remained bright, cheeky, food-motivated and full of personality.
Veterinary care donated
Over $800
Through Little Pet Vet and the PAWS Rescue Clinic, Fluffykins received abscess drainage, culture testing, antibiotic bead therapy, dental treatment, conscious dental trimming, rechecks, medication and ongoing monitoring.
Incisor removal
Dental monitoring
Abscess drainage
Antibiotic beads
Ongoing comfort care
A little lop with a very different jaw
Fluffykins’ jaw misalignment was obvious from a young age. Her incisors could not meet normally, and her lower jaw gradually shifted forward and to the right. This created lifelong challenges with chewing, grooming and normal dental wear.
In 2023, her incisors were removed to relieve the problems caused by malocclusion. Even after surgery, she needed ongoing checks because the shape of her skull and jaw meant her cheek teeth could continue to overgrow or wear unevenly.
Normal jaw Fluffykins
Learning to live with chronic dental disease
Over the following years, Fluffykins was monitored for weight, hydration, breathing changes, mandibular bony prominences and cheek tooth alignment. She sometimes needed Critical Care supplementation to help maintain condition, especially when eating took more effort than it should.
Her carers also noticed the classic Fluffykins charm: bright eyes, cheeky behaviour, a love of food, and the adorable tongue that so often made people smile. She was medically complex, but she was also playful, expressive and deeply loved.
The abscess that changed the plan
In May 2026, a new swelling appeared along the lower right side of Fluffykins’ jaw. Examination identified a 1.5 to 2 cm mandibular swelling, suspicious for an active dental abscess associated with diseased cheek teeth.
The abscess was opened and drained, samples were collected for aerobic and anaerobic culture, and the cavity was thoroughly flushed. Thirteen tiny TMS antibiotic beads were placed directly into the abscess cavity to help deliver treatment where it was needed most.
Progress, rechecks and careful hope
Follow-up visits brought encouraging signs. What initially appeared to be an aggressive jaw abscess gradually behaved more like a small residual pocket that could be cleaned and managed.
When a further pocket was explored, additional antibiotic beads were placed, including TMS and metronidazole beads. The swelling remained extremely mobile and appeared detached from the underlying jaw, giving hope that the infection was not actively spreading through the bone. At the same visit, a mildly elongated lower premolar was trimmed to prevent further gum irritation.
Fluffykins’ journey
A simple timeline of the moments that shaped her story.
February 2023
Fluffykins was urgently seeking a carer while in quarantine, already recognised as a tiny lop with serious jaw and dental challenges.
March 2023
Dental radiographs and incisor removal were performed to manage severe incisor malocclusion caused by her misaligned jaw.
2024 – 2025
Fluffykins continued regular monitoring for cheek tooth spurs, jaw changes, weight, hydration, breathing noise and feeding difficulty.
May 2026
A new right mandibular swelling developed, highly suspicious for a dental-associated abscess linked to lower cheek tooth disease.
22 May 2026
The abscess was opened, drained, flushed, sampled for culture and sensitivity, and treated with locally implanted TMS antibiotic beads.
29 May 2026
The site was rechecked and explored. Residual antibiotic bead material was removed, and anaerobic infection remained a consideration despite no growth on culture.
19 June 2026
The residual cavity was cleaned again, twenty antibiotic beads were placed, and a conscious trim was performed on an elongated lower premolar causing gum irritation.
What PAWS support helped provide
Dental assessment and monitoring
Incisor extraction history
Conscious dental trimming
Abscess drainage and flushing
Culture and sensitivity testing
Local anaesthesia and wound care
TMS antibiotic beads
Metronidazole antibiotic beads
Ongoing rechecks and monitoring
“Fluffykins’ story is one of resilience, second chances, and the belief that every animal deserves the opportunity to live a healthy and happy life.”
“She may have been born with a jaw that made life harder, but Fluffykins has always met each challenge with brightness, appetite and a wonderful little spark.”
The Team Behind Fluffykins
Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue
Gave Fluffykins a safe place, advocated for her treatment and supported her through chronic dental disease and jaw abscess care.
Foster Carers
Provided daily monitoring, food support, transport, medication, comfort and the close observation needed to catch changes early.
Little Pet Vet
Provided dental assessment, abscess drainage, culture testing, local antibiotic bead therapy, conscious dental trimming and ongoing recheck care.
See more of Fluffykins’ story at Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue
Replace this section with Fluffykins’ Facebook post or update embed.
Here
Fluffykins’ legacy
Fluffykins’ story shows what is possible when chronic illness is met with patience, careful monitoring and a rescue community willing to act quickly when things change.
Through the partnership between Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue, Little Pet Vet and the PAWS Rescue Clinic, more than $800 worth of veterinary services have been donated to support Fluffykins’ treatment journey.
Today, Fluffykins continues to be monitored for chronic dental disease, but she remains a wonderful example of resilience, specialist care and the difference compassion can make for animals with complex needs.
Thank you for being part of Fluffykins’ journey and for supporting animals in need.