Time is running out to vote for your favourite miracle pet to be crowned PDSA Pet Survivor 2019. The six finalists have all beaten death by a whisker thanks to their survival spirit, their owners’ devotion, and the expertise of their vet teams.

Three determined dogs, two courageous cats and a plucky duck are up for the coveted national award, run by the leading vet charity. Voting online www.pdsa.org.uk/petsurvivor closes at midnight on Sunday 1 December.

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing said: “All of this year’s finalists represent exactly what our Pet Survivor competition is all about. Their incredible stories show what an important place our precious pets hold within our families. Everyone involved with their care has demonstrated true devotion to help these pets fight for their lives.”

The six pets keeping their paws (or webbed feet) crossed are:

Custo the Bichon Frise / Cocker Spaniel cross, from Camberley in Surrey

Ten-year-old Custo developed an aggressive spleen cancer, which also caused an autoimmune reaction. His body began attacking his own red blood cells, meaning he was unlikely to survive the life-saving operation he needed. He was a whisker from death for a week and needed five blood transfusions. At one point he even went home to spend a ‘final weekend’ with his family, but this seemed to give him renewed hope. After many months of intensive care from specialist vets and his owners, he finally made a full recovery and is still in remission 13 months later.

Jacob the cat from Tilford in Surrey

At 17-years-old Jacob is an elderly feline, but this didn’t stop his owner doing whatever it took to save him. Jacob developed a deadly combination of septic peritonitis, which is a severe infection of the abdomen, and pneumonia. Though considered high-risk for the urgent surgery he needed, it was his only chance. He required a blood transfusion afterwards and was at ‘death’s door’ for ten days, staying at the specialist vet for intensive care. Once home, he still had a feeding tube fitted for six weeks and it took months of recovery. But happily, Jacob has now almost fully recovered from his ordeal.

Milo the Pomeranian from Glasgow

Little Milo was bred by cruel puppy farmers, leaving him with many health issues. He went blind at just a few months old but it was his deformed neck vertebrae that left him crying in pain. He was even in danger of complete paralysis with one wrong turn of his neck. At just eight-months-old little Milo needed six hours of risky specialist surgery to fix his spine - it wasn’t certain he’d survive. But thankfully the surgery was a success and Milo went home for plenty of TLC. After months of careful recuperation he’s now running around like normal.

Mother Duck the Cayuga Duck from Rye in East Sussex

Five-year-old Mother Duck was found bleeding and gasping for life outside her coop following a suspected fox attack. Her neck was ripped open and her vet advised she was unlikely to survive. But the matriarch of their duck family simply refused to die, so they knew they had to give her a chance. The vet came out in the middle of the night and performed two hours of surgery – on the kitchen table! Mother Duck was unable to eat at first but after a week of coaxing, this plucky duck finally started eating by herself and went on to make a miraculous recovery. 

Trinny the Fox Terrier from Manchester

Tiny Trinny suffered a ferocious attack by a larger dog. She was left fighting for her life, with deep puncture wounds to her chest and severe lacerations on her shoulder. Trinny’s injuries were so bad that, even if she did survive, she was in danger of losing her leg. Three operations finally managed to save her life, and also her leg, and after months of round-the-clock care at home she is now back on all four paws and fully recovered.

Woody the cat from Battle in East Sussex

Five-month-old kitten Woody returned home one evening with horrendous injuries. His tail was missing and he had a deep slash on his tummy, leaving his insides exposed, plus other wounds to his paws and ears. Woody really was a whisker from death and it took three hours of surgery for his wounds to be painstakingly sewn up. His tail was fully amputated and he needed months of nursing and recovery. But more concerning was the possible cause of his injuries. While some were consistent with a traffic accident, others suggested a more sinister explanation – deliberate mutilation. A police investigation was inconclusive, so the cause will likely remain a mystery, but his owners are just grateful he survived.

Judging panel

The six finalists were selected by a judging panel which included TV presenter Michaela Strachan, vet and TV presenter Judy Puddifoot, and Love Island star Kady McDermott.

Michaela Strachan said of this year’s amazing entrants: “All of these stories of survival against the odds are so heart-warming. Choosing just six finalists was really tough. The pets’ fight for life and their owners love, support and incredible devotion is truly remarkable.”

Vet Judy Puddifoot added: “It was an honour to judge such amazing stories, many of whom went through extensive vet treatment following incredibly traumatic experiences. I wish I could’ve given all the pets a prize!”

About the competition

Entries were open to any pet that received veterinary care in the UK between 1 August 2018 and 31 August 2019, and nominations were received from all over the country. The winner will receive a prestigious trophy, a luxury pet hamper worth £200 (thanks to the competition sponsor, Petsurance by PDSA) and the coveted title of PDSA Pet Survivor 2019.

Pet Survivor videos

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWQf4i33jKhGRYw2m9jRgORb7naYv6bqR