Cat Survives Being Run Over by Speeding Car
A cat from Gateshead has made a remarkable recovery after being hit by a car and left 'close to death'. Shola, a four-year-old feline from Wrekenton, was critically injured in the collision and rushed to the PDSA pet hospital for emergency treatment.
Owner Natalie described the moment a neighbour arrived at her door carrying Shola wrapped in a blanket. Witnesses initially feared the cat had not survived, but upon realising she was still breathing, they quickly sought out her owners.
Natalie said: “I’ll never forget how I felt when I saw her. It was one of the worst days of my life, seeing her so close to death.” She immediately took Shola to the Gateshead PDSA Pet Hospital, where the family is registered.
Critical Condition on Arrival
Upon arrival at PDSA, Shola was in a critical state. PDSA Vet Surgeon Faith Willsher explained: “When Shola arrived, she was bleeding from her nose and eye, struggling to breathe, and unable to stand. We immediately placed her in an oxygen chamber and administered strong pain relief. We were concerned she may have suffered severe head trauma, so our priority was stabilising her before carrying out further investigations.”
Later, CCTV footage revealed the full extent of the accident. Natalie said: “The car was speeding, and Shola went under both the front and back wheels. I couldn’t believe she’d survived at all.”
Intensive Care and Recovery
Shola remained in critical condition overnight, requiring intensive monitoring, oxygen support, intravenous fluids, and pain relief. By the following morning, she was stable enough for X-rays and an ultrasound scan.
Faith added: “Whilst sedated, we discovered bruising and swelling around her jaw and tongue, bleeding in both eyes, a deep wound to her leg, grazing to her paw, and a small split in her lower jaw. Remarkably, there were no broken bones or major internal injuries.”
Shola spent about a week recovering at PDSA, where staff monitored her for delayed complications. Natalie said: “It was touch-and-go the whole time. One of the nurses formed such a lovely bond with Shola and kept us updated constantly. That reassurance meant everything to us.”
Home Recovery and Surgery
Once stable enough to return home, Shola continued her recovery with pain relief, antibiotics, and eye drops. She later underwent surgery under general anaesthetic to repair her injured leg. Natalie recalled: “Each time she went under anaesthetic, we were terrified she wouldn’t wake up. We had to say our goodbyes just in case, which was incredibly distressing.”
Thankfully, with PDSA's help, Shola has made a full recovery and is back home. Natalie said: “Shola is the princess of the family. We got her and her brother Sammy as kittens, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. If she hadn’t survived, Sammy would have been completely lost, as would my little boy, who absolutely adores her. While she was recovering, he even put Cat TV on his tablet for her to watch.”
Financial Strain on Pet Owners
The family expressed gratitude for PDSA's care. Natalie said: “We couldn’t imagine life without our pets. We’ll never forget what PDSA did for our family, and we’re so thankful they saved Shola’s life.” Faith added: “When your pet is seriously ill or hurt, the fear of losing them can be overwhelming, and all you can do is stay by their side and hope for the best.”
Recent figures from PDSA’s Pet Health Inequality Report show that 1 in 5 (21%) pet owners in the North East say the cost of pet care has caused them stress in the last two years. Almost double the national average (11% compared to 6%) say worries about pet costs have impacted their sleep. Additionally, 1 in 10 (9%) pet owners in the region have had to cut back on essentials to care for their pet.
