A larger-than-life cat dubbed Skinny has lost more than half his weight to become the darling of a Texas vet's surgery.

The ginger tom adopted by Dr Brittney Barton in 2013 once weighed 18.6 kilograms, but has now slimmed down to a svelte 8.6 kilograms thanks to exercise and a special diet.

Dr Barton calls Skinny the "resident cat" at her practice, HEAL Veterinary Hospital in Dallas.

Skinny spends his weekdays roaming the clinic and the weekends are spent at home with Dr Barton and her family.

The fat cat was originally found abandoned near Dallas in 2012 and ended up at a shelter.

Dr Barton, who says Skinny has just been given a clean bill of health at his annual check-up, says he is living proof that while he is supposed to be a large cat, "he's not supposed to be an obese cat".

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