Daily Mail. Stewie the world's longest cat measuring 4 feet dies from cancer

Stewie the cat, who measured 48.5 inches long, has died at the age of 8 after a battle with cancer. The Maine Coon cat, whose full name was Mymains Stewart Gilligan, passed away around 7:30pm on Monday at his owner's home in Reno, Nevada.

His owner, Robin Hendrickson bought him from a breeder in Hermiston, Ore., in 2005.

'There was no indication that he would end up being as large and as long as he now,' she said.

The average cat spans 18 inches but Ms Hendrickson said Maine Coons are known as 'the gentle giants' of the cat world.

Though known for his phenomenal length, the furry friend visited sick and hurting people in his role as a therapy cat. He was also a regular on the cat show circuit. But in January 2012, Stewie was diagnosed with cancer after a mass was found under his eye.
He suffered from Lymphosarcoma, a malignant disease of the lymphoid tissues.

He underwent radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Vets thought the cancer was in remission but the long feline ultimately succumbed to the disease. He had just celebrated his 8th birthday on January 29th. Hundreds of fans have flooded Stewie's Facebook site with memories and condolences.