I have had my share of hairballs which I have left in fun spots for the humans over the years.

Usually a couple of heaving motions gets the job done, and the hairball out.

But I never imagined what kind of hairball a 400-pound tiger can cough up.

Fact is, the poor guy couldn't.

Check out this story from the Associated Press:

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — It’s not unusual for a cat to get a hairball, but a 400-pound tiger needed help from veterinary surgeons in Florida when he couldn’t hack up a basketball-size hairball by himself.
The 17-year-old tiger named Ty underwent the procedure Wednesday at a veterinary center in the Tampa Bay area community of Clearwater. Doctors said in a statement that they safely removed the 4-pound obstruction from Ty’s stomach.
The tiger, which is cared for by Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation in Seminole, was brought to veterinarians after not eating for nearly two weeks. Doctors said they detected the hairball using a scope with a camera.
Vernon Yates, whose nonprofit group regularly assists law enforcement agencies with seized animals, says he’s thankful the hairball was removed and Ty is doing fine.


By the way, what do you do with a 4-pound hairball?

Actually, I really don't want to know.

 Later, P.