Celebrating LSU Vet Med's first Petco Love and Blue Buffalo grant recipient, Paisley, who has thrived for six years post-cancer treatment

Paisley, a King Charles Cavalier spaniel, was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 4 years old but was treated at LSU Vet Med thanks to a grant from Petco Love and Blue Buffalo. Paisley recently celebrated her 11th birthday.

 

 

Julie Philippus of Covington, La., received a double blow when she learned that her dog, Paisley, had cancer just a few months after losing her father and business partner to cancer in 2018.

Julie first knew something was wrong when she noticed that Paisley was yelping when jumping off the couch. One morning she started vomiting, shaking, and walking in circles. 

"We called our vet, who referred us to South Paws Veterinary Surgical Specialists in Mandeville for an emergency MRI. We were told that Paisley had a recurring brain tumor that was inoperable. That was unacceptable. Paisley was only 4 years old," Julie said.

Remarkably, in October 2024, Paisley celebrated her 11th birthday—a milestone that seemed impossible at the start of Paisley's healing journey.

Reaching this joyous moment took several critical steps. South Paws referred her to Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine to consult with neurosurgeon Dr. Andy Shores for a second opinion. He performed transfrontal craniotomy surgery the next day to remove Paisley's brain tumor. Soon afterwards, Julie said Paisley was playing like an energetic puppy again.

Julie was informed that the tumor would grow back, and in fact, it did return within four months, as evidenced by a follow-up MRI at LSU Vet Med. 

"We wondered, 'What now?' We were looking for help," Julie said.

At LSU Vet Med, she met with Dr. Jayme Looper, professor of veterinary radiation oncology, who saw Paisley and presented Julie with treatment options. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs that underwent tumor resection (surgery) alone and survived surgery had a median survival time of seven months. Dogs that underwent tumor resection followed by radiation therapy had a median survival time of 16.5 months. 

Radiation therapy as a follow up to surgery was recommended by both Drs. Looper and Shores, and it was a costly treatment option. Dr. Looper told Julie about the Petco Love and Blue Buffalo grant and said that Paisley would be a solid candidate for the grant. Paisley was LSU Vet Med's first recipient of the Petco Love and Blue Buffalo grant to help make cancer treatment available.

"I was thrilled to have this life-saving option," Julie said.

Paisley, then age 5, started radiation treatments in March 2019 to remove any remaining nodules. She underwent 20 rounds of radiation treatments administered Mondays through Fridays for a full month. Now, Paisley is enjoying life after her treatments at LSU Vet Med.

"Dr. Looper really saved her life," Julie said.

In July 2024, Julie wrote to Dr. Looper saying, "I wanted to let you know how much time we have been able to get back with your help. If you recall, we were hoping for at least 2.5 additional years, and so we are beyond grateful. I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for putting your faith in her and allowing us the opportunity to participate in the Petco Love and Blue Buffalo grant program. It saved her life and gave us another 5.5 wonderful, happy years with a vibrant, healthy dog again for our family to enjoy."

Dr. Looper said, "It was wonderful to hear from Julie, and I was so happy to hear how well Paisley has been doing for so long."

Last summer, Paisley started slowing down and showing signs of a possible recurrence for the first time since treatment. Julie reached out to Dr. Looper for her input while working with her local veterinarian, Dr. Kristen Boston, at Covington Veterinary Hospital, co-owned with husband, Dr. Gerard Boston, LSU Vet Med 1990 graduate. Last summer, Julie brought Paisley back to LSU Vet Med to see Dr. Looper. No additional surgery or radiation are planned, and Paisley is doing well on medications for symptom management.

"Paisley turned 11 this year. We’ll take as much time as she’ll allow us. With Dr. Looper's help, she’s been able to live a full, happy life," Julie said. 

Petco Love, a national nonprofit saving lives, has made it possible for LSU Vet Med to better even more lives with grants for cancer treatment for clients who otherwise would not be able to afford it for their animals.

“These funds have allowed us to save many lives. Life-saving treatments can be expensive, and this grant is a game changer for clients faced with difficult decisions for their sick pets,” said Jayme Looper, professor of veterinary radiation oncology.

LSU Vet Med’s Cancer Treatment Unit, founded in 1998, offers a variety of treatment options tailored to pets’ individual needs. The unit offers two major services: medical oncology and radiation oncology.

Petco Love and Blue Buffalo continue to support pet owners by helping with the cost of pet cancer treatment, investing in the top veterinarian oncology universities for pet cancer treatment funds. Since 2010, Petco Love and Blue Buffalo have invested more than $20 million in the fight against pet cancer.
 
For further information about the LSU Vet Med Cancer Treatment Unit and applying for funding, visit our Oncology Service webpage or email lsuoncology@lsu.edu.

About LSU Vet Med: Bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 33 veterinary schools in the U.S. and the only one in Louisiana. LSU Vet Med is dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education, transformational research, and compassionate care. We teach. We heal. We discover. We protect.