PAWS Rescue Clinic Story
Tinkerbell
Small Rabbit, Extraordinary Courage
A story of disability, chronic dental disease, major surgery, dedicated foster care, and a little rabbit who was loved through every challenge.
JOURNEY
2022 – April 2024
SUPPORT GIVEN
Dental, abscess and port care
Meet Tinkerbell
Tinkerbell’s journey with Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue was never straightforward. Born with significant physical challenges, including a congenital splayed limb deformity, she quickly won over everyone who met her.
Despite her unusual gait and special needs, Tinkerbell was a happy rabbit who loved food, companionship and spending time with her bonded friend Amber. She never let her physical limitations define her.
Veterinary care donated
Over $2,400
Through Little Pet Vet and the PAWS Rescue Clinic, Tinkerbell received advanced dental imaging, multiple dental surgeries, facial abscess treatment, long-term antibiotic therapy, subcutaneous port implantation, hospitalisation, laboratory testing, vaccinations and ongoing nursing care.
Special-needs care
Dental imaging
Tooth extractions
Abscess surgery
Antibiotic port
Born different, loved completely
Tinkerbell lived with congenital splay-leg deformities affecting her movement from early life. She did not move like other rabbits, but she still explored, played, ate and bonded closely with her companion Amber.
Her special needs meant her carers had to watch her closely. Hygiene, ear care, dental monitoring and general comfort all mattered more because her body had to work harder than most.
The dental disease begins
Routine checks showed that one of Tinkerbell’s lower cheek teeth was overgrowing because it had no opposing tooth to wear against. At first, the problem could be managed with monitoring and trimming.
Over time, however, the disease progressed. In August 2023, Tinkerbell required extraction of the overgrown 407 cheek tooth, along with trimming of other cheek teeth to restore her mouth as close to normal anatomy as possible.
A sudden facial swelling
In January 2024, a firm swelling appeared on the right side of Tinkerbell’s face. An enormous swelling arose suddenly
Dental radiographs revealed that several teeth were abnormal. Some teeth were shortened almost to the gumline, surrounding bone damage, opposing teeth severely overgrown.
Normal Tinkerbell
Major surgery and a hidden grass stem
Tinkerbell underwent advanced dental imaging, extraction of diseased teeth, and surgical treatment of the facial abscess. The abscess was opened, infected material was removed, and the capsule was kept open to allow ongoing drainage.
During surgery, a large grass stem was discovered deep within the abscess cavity. This foreign material was likely contributing to the chronic infection and explained why the problem had become so serious.
A treatment port for long-term care
Because long-term antibiotic therapy would be needed, a subcutaneous injection port was implanted beneath Tinkerbell’s skin. This allowed her carers to administer penicillin therapy through the port rather than repeatedly injecting her with needles.
The port became an important part of her care plan, but it also required careful handling, cleaning and monitoring. Tinkerbell’s foster carer became an essential part of the treatment team.
A recovery worth celebrating
After surgery, Tinkerbell needed Critical Care feeding, pain relief, antibiotics, wound care and careful home nursing. At first she was quiet and reluctant to eat, but with support she began nibbling again and gradually improved.
Her extraction sites healed, the abscess appeared controlled, and she returned to enjoying life with Amber. Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue celebrated her progress, describing her as a happy rabbit who had come through an incredibly difficult ordeal.
When the disease returned
Sadly, chronic dental abscesses can be relentless. By April 2024, the implanted port had been chewed down to skin level, a new mass had developed near the port, and the swelling beneath Tinkerbell’s jaw had returned.
Examination showed a 2.5 cm submandibular mass adhered to the jaw and severe overgrowth of the remaining 407 tooth. Further surgery would likely have required additional dental radiographs and possible removal of the remaining right-sided teeth.
The kindest goodbye
After multiple major dental procedures, repeated abscess treatments, long-term antibiotics and ongoing nursing care, Tinkerbell’s prognosis had become poor. The concern was no longer simply whether another surgery was possible, but whether it would truly be kind.
Rather than allowing Tinkerbell to continue through further painful procedures with diminishing chances of success, Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue and her veterinary team chose a peaceful goodbye. She was surrounded by love, dignity and the people who had fought so hard for her.
Tinkerbell’s journey
A simple timeline of the moments that shaped her story.
2022
Tinkerbell entered care as a special-needs rabbit with splayed limbs, narrow ear canals and early signs of dental monitoring needs.
February – August 2023
Ongoing cheek tooth overgrowth was monitored and managed until extraction of the 407 tooth became necessary.
21 August 2023
The overgrown 407 tooth was extracted and other cheek teeth were floated to improve her dental anatomy.
January 2024
A right facial abscess developed. Dental radiographs showed multiple abnormal teeth and severe changes around the jaw.
15 January 2024
Tinkerbell underwent dental radiographs, extraction of 106, 107 and 408, abscess marsupialisation, removal of a grass stem and placement of a subcutaneous injection port.
February – March 2024
Her extraction sites healed, the port remained useful, and she returned to enjoying life with Amber after a difficult recovery period.
April 2024
The abscess returned, the port site became damaged and further dental disease progressed. After careful discussion, the kindest decision was made to let her go peacefully.
What PAWS support helped provide
Special-needs health checks
Dental radiographs
Cheek tooth extraction
Multiple dental surgeries
Facial abscess treatment
Grass stem removal
Subcutaneous treatment port
Long-term antibiotic therapy
Compassionate end-of-life care
“Tinkerbell’s story is not defined by her illness. It is defined by resilience, love and the people who kept fighting for her comfort.”
“She lived with physical disabilities, endured months of treatment and remained a much-loved rabbit throughout it all.”
The Team Behind Tinkerbell
Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue
Gave Tinkerbell safety, advocacy and the chance to receive advanced care for a complex special-needs journey.
Foster Carers and Supporters
Provided daily monitoring, medication, wound care, port care, food encouragement, companionship and the love that carried her through difficult months.
Little Pet Vet
Provided advanced dental imaging, multiple dental surgeries, abscess treatment, port placement, medication planning, hospital care, pain relief and compassionate end-of-life support.
See more of Tinkerbell’s story at Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue
Here
Tinkerbell’s legacy
Tinkerbell’s story is not defined by her illness. It is defined by resilience. She lived with physical disabilities, overcame repeated surgeries, endured months of treatment and remained a much-loved rabbit throughout it all.
Through the partnership between Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue, Little Pet Vet and the PAWS Rescue Clinic, more than $2,400 worth of veterinary services were donated to support Tinkerbell’s treatment journey.
Her foster carers, rescue team and veterinary team never stopped advocating for her. Because of that, Tinkerbell enjoyed years of safety, comfort and love that she may never otherwise have known.
Thank you for being part of Tinkerbell’s journey and for supporting animals in need.