A MIRACLE cat from Inverkeithing is up for a national award after surviving a horrific hit-and-run which left him fighting for his life.

Maximus was five-years-old when a suspected hit-and-run accident left him with extensive head injuries.

His skull was fractured in several places, his jaw was split in two, and his right eye was missing.

His life hung in the balance but after extensive surgery and months of care, Maximus made an incredible recovery.

Now he’s competing with three other plucky pets for the title of PDSA Pet Survivor of the Year 2018.

The winner will be decided by a public vote online.

Vet Erin Logan, from Inglis Vet Centre in Dunfermline, said: “All of our patients are special individuals to us but occasionally one comes along who is truly inspiring.

“Maximus’ recovery left us in awe of the healing abilities of nature and just what is truly possible with resilience, character and the determination to survive – he could teach us all lessons about life in adversity. I doubt in the rest of my career I will come across another personality like Maximus and it is a genuine privilege to have been involved with both him and Sharon.”

It was in June last year when Maximus, known affectionately as Maxy by his family, was found slumped against the front door by a neighbour. He was taken immediately to Inglis, where vets suspected he had been hit by a car, and had somehow dragged himself home after it drove off.

He was in such a bad way that euthanasia was discussed but his owner, Sharon, asked the vets to do anything they could to save him. She knew that Maxy was a fighter plus she knew her son, Cory, would be devastated to lose him.

Vets inserted a metal pin across the front of his face, through his nose, to keep the two halves of his fractured upper jaw together while they healed.

His lower jaw was also wired into place but his right eye was lost. As he was coming round from the operation, Max stopped breathing twice and required resuscitation. He then required round-the-clock care and nursing.

Sharon said: “He needed tube-feeding every four hours and his wounds had to be cleaned and redressed every day. This went on for over six weeks but Maximus took it all in his stride. He always allowed us and our vet nurses to do everything we needed to, he had such a quiet resolve it was an inspiration.”

Maximus is recovering well and has lived up to his gladiator name.

Voting is open until November 30. Visit www.pdsa.org.uk/petsurvivor2018