Aurora has been nominated for the Bravest Pet Award in the Exotics category by staff at Great Western Exotics and VNR Swindon for the amazing bravery and spirit she has shown in fighting and coming to terms with a series of major illnesses:

• She has undergone two separate surgeries to remove bladder stones.
• Received haemoglobin administration following major arterial blood loss when she chewed her right-hand leg.
• Is coping with osteoarthritis of the tarsal joints in her hind legs.
• In December 2013 she had a malignant tumour removed from her right upper lip, which we hope will not reoccur or have spread elsewhere.

Whilst guinea pigs are all marvellous, little animals – making little fuss and bother when they are unwell, this certainly doesn’t mean they are not suffering.

Most guinea pigs do not survive one, let alone two serious disease episodes. However, dear Aurora  – buoyed by her kind, loving and supportive family – has been through three major surgeries, together with life threatening acute blood loss anaemia; and yet she  still comes up smiling and chuckling at us all!!