By Grace Bathery
Lola, a 15-year-old tabby, has always been a friendly and social cat. She loves to play with laser pointers and cuddle with her humans. But in late 2024, Lola started having problems breathing. Support from the Petco Love and Blue Buffalo Cancer Treatment Support Fund helped get her the care she needed.
Veterinarians initially thought she was dealing with an upper respiratory infection, or that her breathing problems were being caused by an abscessed tooth. But after treatments for both didn’t improve Lola’s condition, she was referred to UW Veterinary Care for further evaluation.
A CT scan of her sinus cavity revealed a mass, with further tests suggesting it could be cancerous. In January 2025, Lola was diagnosed with nasal lymphoma.
Lola’s lymphoma was treated using radiation therapy, the first-rate treatment for her cancer, according to Dr. Tricia Hu, a radiation oncology resident with UWVC’s oncology service. The cost of treatment was covered, in part, by the Petco Love and Blue Buffalo Fund, which helped ensure she could receive the leading-edge care.
“Unfortunately, not every client is in a situation that allows for intensive cancer care, so we are especially glad to be able to offer support to those clients through funding from Petco Love,” Hu says.
While Lola developed some mild side effects from the treatment, pain medication and antibiotics led to a clean follow-up CT scan in June 2025.
“Lola has generally been doing well since treatment,” says Judy Hill, Lola’s owner. “She is still as friendly as can be and loves to eat and cuddle.”
Lola continues to be a very affectionate, social cat following her treatment, mingling with people frequently. She enjoys catnip treats and watching the world go by from her window. Because of the state-of-the-art treatment made possible by Petco Love, Lola is able to continue living a life she enjoys cancer free.
“To say we were overjoyed is an understatement,” Hill says. “We could not have afforded her radiation treatment had it not been for the generous financial support programs offered by UW Veterinary Care, including funds from Petco Love.”
About the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine
The UW School of Veterinary Medicine provides outstanding programs in veterinary medical education, research, clinical practice, and service that enhance the health and welfare of both animals and people and contribute to the economic well-being of the state of Wisconsin. Opened in 1983, the school quickly earned a reputation as one of the leading schools of veterinary medicine in America. The SVM offers an unmatched educational experience for the next generation of trusted veterinarians; world-class research, technology, and clinical trials; and leading-edge, compassionate clinical care at our teaching hospital, UW Veterinary Care. For more information, visit www.vetmed.wisc.edu.
About Petco Love
Petco Love started in 1999 as the Petco Foundation, formalizing Petco’s longstanding commitment to animal welfare. Millions of pet lives saved later, it continues to pursue its mission: To harness the power of love to make communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. For more information, visit https://petcolove.org/.