Caesar the Boxer: A Heartwarming Tale of Triumph over Cancer

Meet Caesar, an 11-year-old boxer, whose journey from parade parties to a cancer diagnosis has captured the hearts of those who know him. The Lizano family adopted Caesar when he was only three months old. His name stems from the family’s deep appreciation for Mardi Gras, when they used to host a parade party for the Krewe of Caesar parade every year at their old shop location. The Lizano’s family business, Lizano’s Glass Haus, has been in their family for generations. It was not long till Caesar became the face of their shop. Every day, he eagerly accompanies his family to Lizano's Glass Haus, bringing a cheerful smile to every customer who walks in the door. For Caesar, being surrounded by the bustle of the glass workshop is more than just a job.

The first inkling that something was wrong came in January 2022, when Caesar’s owners noticed a lump around his neck. After performing a CT, veterinarians revealed a 5x5cm mass attached to Caesar’s larynx. Caesar was quickly referred to Oncology at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. On March 18, Caesar was officially diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma. Over the course of four weeks, Caesar underwent four sessions of radiation therapy until starting Palladia, an oral chemotherapy treatment. Through it all, Caesar was an absolute trooper, and his happy-go-lucky personality never wavered.

In October 2023, Caesar came back to LSU for a recheck on his progress. Ultrasounds revealed the mass in Caesar’s neck is stable, and he continues to be in remission. His love for treats and boundless enthusiasm in greeting customers at the door continues, and his face is now memorialized in stained glass on Lizano’s Glass Haus front door.

LSU Vet Med has the only on-site radiation unit for animals in Louisiana. We are the largest veterinary referral center in the region, offering 21 different veterinary specialties in small animal, exotic, and large animal species. This allows our cancer specialists to work with experts in veterinary diagnostic imaging, anesthesia, clinical pathology, surgery, and many others to provide the most advanced expertise and technology available for our patients.

Caesar's journey stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the unconditional love between humans and their animal companions. In the face of adversity, Caesar and the Lizano family have demonstrated the power of unwavering support and the strength that comes from facing cancer diagnoses head-on. As Caesar's story continues to unfold, it reminds us that, with love and determination, even the most formidable challenges can be overcome.