Meet Kroshik, obese cat weighing 17 kg rescued from Russian hospital basement | VIDEO

New Delhi: A massive feline, affectionately named Kroshik, was discovered in the basement of a hospital in Perm, Russia, last week. Weighing an astounding 17 kilograms—equivalent to a human child—Kroshik was too overweight to walk when rescued by animal advocates. The cat, reminiscent of the fictional Garfield, had been living off a diet of bread crackers, soup, whiskey, and meat, leading to his severe obesity.

The story behind Kroshik's weight

Kroshik’s name, which translates to "Crumbs" in English, reflects his insatiable appetite. He had been abandoned by previous owners and left in the care of well-meaning hospital staff who unknowingly contributed to his weight gain by feeding him excessively. When found, Kroshik's condition was so severe that veterinarians at the Matroskin Shelter struggled to conduct an ultrasound due to his thick layers of fat.

Shelter’s rehabilitation efforts

On August 30, the Matroskin Shelter took to Instagram to highlight the rare case of Kroshik, noting the extreme measures taken by those who cared for him. The shelter announced that Kroshik would undergo a rigorous rehabilitation program including physical therapy and a strict diet plan to help him regain mobility. The program features hydrotherapy and kinesiotherapy sessions 3-4 times a week.

A week after the rescue, Kroshik has begun to show signs of improvement. A recent video posted by the shelter depicts Kroshik walking on a water treadmill, marking significant progress in his recovery. The shelter remains optimistic about his continued improvement, stating, “The little one is making great strides and is slowly starting to walk on the water treadmill!”