Formerly 40-pound cat Patches suffers medical setback

Patches, the once morbidly obese cat, may have arthritis in his back, causing him pain and a change in behavior.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:35pm

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Patches, the formerly 42-pound cat adopted by Kay Ford from Richmond Animal Care and Control nearly three years ago, has suffered a medical setback. Ford believes Patches may have recently injured his back or is suffering from previously undiagnosed arthritis, as he has been hissing at people and not eating his lunch, which is unusual behavior for the cat. Patches has been prescribed anti-inflammatory medication and gabapentin for the pain, and Ford has confined him to a bedroom to prevent further injury while he recovers.

Why it matters

Patches' weight loss journey has captured the attention of over 54,000 people following his Facebook page, and his story has highlighted the importance of proper nutrition and veterinary care for obese pets. This medical setback serves as a reminder that even after significant weight loss, pets can still face health challenges that require attentive care from their owners.

The details

Ford said Patches' injury is "in a very specific location and obviously hurts him fairly badly." The 8-year-old feline, who previously broke Ford's pantry door in a bid to access food, has been prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication and gabapentin for the pain. Ford has relegated Patches to a bedroom with a ramp to the bed, where he loves to sleep, in order to prevent him from exacerbating his injury.

  • Patches was adopted by Kay Ford from Richmond Animal Care and Control nearly three years ago, in late April 2023.
  • Patches reached his first weight-loss goal of 20 pounds in late July.
  • Patches weighed in at 18.48 pounds seven weeks ago.

The players

Patches

A white and gray Domestic Shorthair cat who was previously morbidly obese at 42 pounds, but has since lost significant weight through a strict diet and veterinary care.

Kay Ford

The Mechanicsville, Virginia woman who adopted Patches from Richmond Animal Care and Control and has been overseeing his weight loss journey.

Dr. Meaghan

Patches' veterinarian who has been extremely passionate about cat nutrition and has helped Ford create a plan for Patches' weight loss.

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What they’re saying

“Never in the three years of being his mama has he ever hissed at me. But he hissed at everybody today.”

— Kay Ford, Patches' owner

“I would've never guessed back pain. Having this figured out now so that he could get on the meds he needs to feel better is such a relief.”

— Kay Ford, Patches' owner

What’s next

Ford said she is trying to "quell his normal cat impulses" and keep Patches confined to the bedroom to prevent him from further injuring his back while he recovers.

The takeaway

Patches' medical setback serves as a reminder that even after significant weight loss, pets can still face unexpected health challenges that require attentive care from their owners. This story highlights the importance of ongoing veterinary monitoring and a commitment to an animal's well-being, even after major milestones are achieved.