World's fattest cat that weighed a massive 38lbs has died

The world's fattest cat has tragically died just weeks after it was sent to a pet weight loss camp.

Kroshik, Russian for 'Crumbs', weighed in at an astonishing 38lbs when it was rescued from the basement of a hospital, where he was fed by well-meaning staff with biscuits and soup.

The strict diet and exercise regime at the feline fat camp Kroshik was taken to were successful and the ginger tabby could finally walk again after shedding 2.2lbs.

Cheeky Kroshik even tried to break out of the centre once, but got stuck between the bars of a shoe rack, with an unfortunate photo showing his stomach touching the ground and face pressed into a plastic surgery clog.

Tragically, the beloved Kroshik has suddenly died at the diet centre in Perm, Russia, on Saturday night.

His carers said on Sunday: 'Yesterday Kroshik suddenly became ill. He began to choke. Until that moment, the doctors had never noticed signs of shortness of breath in him. 

'We acted immediately - in half an hour Kroshik was already in the oxygen chamber.

'Gradually, his condition began to deteriorate. And even the resuscitation efforts of the doctors could not help him. Dying, he was not alone. Until his very last breath, the best doctors fought for his life.'

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Monster moggie named 'Crumbs' who weighs 38lbs and is 'too fat to walk' is put on a strict diet

Vets said the cat had 'multiple growths in the spleen and metastases in other internal organs', but the exact cause of death will only be known later.

Kroshik had become a worldwide celebrity as he underwent a strict diet and exercise routine at the fat loss centre. 

The carers on social media: 'For a long time, we could not understand the reason for such incredible popularity of Kroshik, because we did nothing to somehow attract the media to the story....

'Later we realised [that] people from all over the world are so tired of bad news... We rejoiced with you at every victory of Kroshik and cherished his every step.'

They concluded: 'Sometimes miracles do not happen. Sometimes even the strongest cats cannot cope.'

Korshik lived in the basement of a Perm hospital, where it is believed he had taken up residence after being abandoned by his owners.

After he was rescued, he faced a life of diets and workouts as vets tried to get him down to a more healthy weight of 10lbs.

Kroshik, so-called because of his ability to hoover up every scrap of food, was so overweight he was unable to walk. 

Rehabilitation specialist Ekaterina Bedakova said his escape bid at the fat loss camp was actually a sign that he was slowly improving.

Video footage from the care centre showed the distinctly fed-up-looking sourpuss being put through his paces on a treadmill.

Using a water tank to lessen the straining of his bulk on his leg joints, Crumbs was seen reluctantly jogging along on the track. 

Other pictures showed how his belly had been shaved to make it easier to dry him following the exercise sessions.

Tabby cats vary in what can be considered a healthy weight.

Experts say between seven to 12lbs is a good weight for a cat in general, although there are differences depending on the breed.