PAWS Rescue Clinic Story
Lollipop
When Hope Outweighed the Odds
A story of a friendly rabbit, a severe jaw abscess, months of treatment, and the rescue care that helped him return to a happy, comfortable life.
JOURNEY
March 2025 – ongoing monitoring
SUPPORT GIVEN
Major dental abscess and osteomyelitis care
Meet Lollipop
Lollipop arrived in rescue after being surrendered because he was considered “too loud” and had been spending much of his life confined to a small enclosure. Once in care, his real personality quickly became obvious: friendly, affectionate, social and always eager for attention.
Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue found him a loving foster home where he could finally enjoy space, companionship and the daily care every rabbit deserves. But beneath his happy nature, a serious dental problem was beginning to develop.
Veterinary care donated
Over $2,550
Through Little Pet Vet and the PAWS Rescue Clinic, Lollipop received advanced diagnostics, dental radiography, major oral surgery, hospitalisation, antibiotic bead implantation, culture testing, long-term injectable antibiotic therapy and ongoing recheck care.
Dental radiographs
Incisor extraction
Abscess surgery
Antibiotic beads
Long-term recovery care
A happy rabbit with a hidden problem
Not long after arriving in care, a firm swelling was noticed along the right side of Lollipop’s lower jaw. At first, it appeared stable and non-painful. He was bright, affectionate and eating well, so the swelling was carefully monitored.
Over time, subtle changes began to appear. Lollipop’s hay intake reduced, his carers noticed discomfort during mouth checks, and the previously quiet swelling became more concerning.
Normal Lollipop
When the abscess declared itself
In July 2025, one of Lollipop’s lower incisors became loose and infected, with pus emerging from the surrounding gum tissue. The jaw swelling that had once appeared harmless was now clearly progressing.
Dental radiographs revealed the full extent of the disease. Infection had destroyed part of the right mandible, chronic osteomyelitis was present, and the 407 cheek tooth was effectively floating within an abscess cavity.
Major surgery and local antibiotic care
Lollipop underwent a major surgical procedure. The diseased 401 incisor was removed, the extraction socket was flushed and packed with antibiotic-impregnated beads, and a second abscess beneath the tongue was drained.
A large marsupialisation procedure was then performed beneath the jaw. Several millilitres of pus and necrotic debris were removed, infected bone was debrided, and the diseased root of the 407 cheek tooth was extracted through the abscess tract. Fifteen specialised antibiotic beads were implanted into the cavity to deliver treatment directly where it was needed.
Months of treatment, and a beautiful recovery
Because long-term antibiotic therapy was essential, a subcutaneous access port was implanted so injectable penicillin could be given at home without repeated needle injections. Culture and sensitivity testing later identified Pasteurella species, confirming that the antibiotic plan was appropriate.
Lollipop proved to be an exceptional patient. He returned to eating hay and vegetables almost immediately, gained weight, healed well, and remained free of active infection for months. By late 2025, what remained was stable bony remodelling rather than active abscessation.
Lollipop’s journey
A simple timeline of the moments that shaped his story.
March 2025
Lollipop was desexed, microchipped and vaccinated. A small, firm swelling was noted on the lower right mandible and scheduled for monitoring.
May 2025
The mandibular swelling remained stable, and Lollipop was eating well, but ongoing monitoring was recommended because dental disease could not be ruled out.
July 2025
The 401 incisor became loose and infected, with purulent discharge and reduced hay intake, prompting dental surgery and advanced imaging.
23 July 2025
Lollipop underwent dental radiographs, incisor extraction, abscess debridement, 407 root extraction, antibiotic bead implantation, marsupialisation and subcutaneous port placement.
August 2025
At his one-month recheck, the surgical site was healed, his weight was stable, and the jaw deformity felt firm and inactive rather than infected.
November – December 2025
Lollipop remained clinically stable, gained weight, had no recurrent swelling or discharge, and eventually discontinued long-term penicillin therapy.
What PAWS support helped provide
Advanced dental radiography
Incisor extraction
Abscess debridement
407 root extraction
Antibiotic bead implantation
Marsupialisation surgery
Subcutaneous antibiotic port
Culture and sensitivity testing
Long-term recheck care
“Lollipop’s story shows what can happen when a serious diagnosis is met with skill, persistence, foster care and a community determined to give one rabbit every chance.”
“He arrived after a difficult start, but Lollipop never lost his joyful nature. With the right care, he finally had the chance to heal.”
The Team Behind Lollipop
Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue
Gave Lollipop safety, a foster home, and the opportunity to receive the major veterinary care needed to overcome severe dental disease.
Foster Carers and Supporters
Monitored subtle changes, supported his fundraising, learned long-term port care and helped Lollipop through months of treatment.
Little Pet Vet
Provided diagnostics, radiography, major oral surgery, antibiotic bead therapy, port placement, culture testing, pain relief, hospital care and ongoing rechecks.
See more of Lollipop’s story at Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue
Here
Lollipop’s legacy
Lollipop’s story demonstrates what can be achieved when rescue organisations, veterinary teams, foster carers and donors work together to give an animal every possible chance.
Through the partnership between Little Pet Vet and the PAWS Rescue Clinic, more than $2,550 worth of veterinary services were donated to support Lollipop’s treatment journey.
Today, Lollipop continues to enjoy life as the friendly, affectionate rabbit everyone fell in love with. His jaw will always carry the evidence of what he survived, but his story is one of healing, comfort and hope.
Thank you for being part of Lollipop’s journey and for supporting animals in need.