Debbie Rosenblum with her cats, Zuma and Ziggy.
The conventional saying “a tiger doesn’t change its stripes” took an unconventional path when New Orleans born Debbie Rosenblum, an avid LSU Tigers fan, and her Bengal cat forged an unexpected kinship with Florida Gators.
Ziggy was endearing and shrewd, captivating all who knew and loved him with his joie de vivre. His fortitude in battling feline cancer inspired his devoted mom Rosenblum to create his legacy for feline oncology research and practice at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine.
Rosenblum adopted and helped foster mixed-breed cats during her life. In 2006, having recently lost a beloved cat to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, she was referred to a highly respected international Bengal cat breeder and author, Gene Ducote, for a kitten. Her impeccable cattery exemplified the Bengal’s renowned sweet nature, intelligence and socially engaging personality. Zuma — sporting an elegant black and gold coat — settled into his new home. Enchanted by him, Rosenblum entrusted Ducote with selecting a Bengal friend for Zuma. The lovingly raised audacious kitten, with black and silver arrowhead markings, joined the family.
Like his namesake, Siegfried Mayer, D.V.M., “Dr. Siggy,” at Metairie Small Animal Hospital, little Ziggy had a magnanimous personality. Over the years, Ziggy delighted in blanket tunneling, wearing costumes, posing for photographers and being a mama’s boy. Zuma, less impressed by the fearless prankster, offered a calm balance to Ziggy’s daily theatrics.
Raised with a strong faith in God, Rosenblum believed while many things in life were beyond our control, everything happens for a reason. She felt with a positive and proactive attitude she could make decisions to alter what was within her control. The years 2020 and 2021 were such years.
Without Warning
In early March 2020, the first COVID-19 patient in Louisiana was reported hospitalized. One week later, Rosenblum, a life-long nutrition-conscious athlete, developed symptoms too. She recalled Ziggy never left her side as her symptoms worsened into pneumonia. After receiving the new nasal swab test, she was rushed to the hospital’s intensive care unit before the test returned positive. A week in the hospital fighting for her life, she prayed to summon strength to survive.
She fully recovered, but soon faced another unexpected turn. Ziggy, at 13 years old, developed a serious gastrointestinal illness. After a month of rigorous treatment, Dr. Siggy referred Ziggy to MedVet New Orleans for specialized, in-depth diagnostics care, arranging for his immediate ICU admission. Ziggy had nursed Rosenblum through years of illness and surgeries. Now, it was her turn to repay him, giving 24-7 care.
Ziggy received extensive, empathetic medical care under Brigitte McAtee, D.V.M. Months later, an endoscopy with biopsies revealed small cell lymphoma of the small intestine and Ziggy was placed in the care of Mia Livaccari, D.V.M., a board-certified veterinary medical oncologist.
“Due to COVID-19, my introduction to Dr. Livaccari was by phone,” said Rosenblum. “Her first sentence, ‘it’s nice to meet Ziggy’s mom,’ immediately eased my fears. Several sentences later, I was fully committed to her sight unseen, knowing Ziggy was in outstanding, loving hands.”
Dr. Mia Livacarri and Ziggy.
Livaccari worked diligently the next few months to improve Ziggy’s condition and quality of life. His care plan at MedVet included bloodwork, daily medication, chemotherapy regimens and lots of love shared between patient and caretaker. His antics entertained at visits as his symptoms and weight improved.
“Any situation when animals are in the veterinary clinic, can be very scary for them. But Ziggy never showed any fear toward us,” said Livaccari. “He was always trusting, easy to work with — and just an awesome cat. We loved him like he was our own.”
Livaccari earned her D.V.M. degree from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. She went on to the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, where she performed an internship and a medical oncology residency, also obtaining a master of science degree through the college’s combined M.S./residency program.
“It’s so important to educate our pet owners and take the time to make sure they understand what is happening with their pet so they can feel confident in making hard decisions,” said Livaccari. “I genuinely feel UF prepared me well for that.”
Ziggy’s Legacy
Sadly, in January 2021, a new tumor developed, and Rosenblum had to face what was beyond her control; treatment was no longer feasible. Livaccari never left Ziggy or his mom’s side through his end-of-life care.
“Ziggy exhibited unconditional faithfulness, trust and bravery during our 14 years together, especially during his 8-month illness. He taught me to have faith in him, how to trust and when to let go,” Rosenblum said.
Grief-stricken, Rosenblum knew that to heal she must honor Ziggy’s life and death in a way that helped others. Ziggy never backed down in life and she wouldn’t back down from her mission to advance feline oncology research.
Livaccari connected Rosenblum to Melissa Headrick, director of advancement at UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Headrick helped Rosenblum create two funds to support each side of feline care – research and specialized clinical training. Often under-funded, research is vital to developing life-saving treatments in feline veterinary oncology. Equally important is the advanced training veterinarians receive through internships and residencies.
Funding Hope
Rosenblum’s gift is furthering research programs conducted by Rowan J. Milner, BV.Sc., Ph.D., a clinician scientist who serves as director of clinical and translation science at UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Milner also mentored Livaccari during her residency.
Like humans, cats and dogs can develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Cats, like Ziggy, primarily get the disease in the small intestines, Milner said. It’s difficult to diagnose as symptoms are very similar to irritable bowel disease, or IBD. His research in cats with lymphoma uses a technology called spatial genomics that allows researchers to identify the genetic makeup of the cancer in a spatial context.
“We process and analyze tumor tissue in a way that allows us to separate and identify what each part of the cancer does,” said Milner. “Ms. Rosenblum’s generous support will make it possible for us to establish a study of cats with IBD and lymphoma with hope of saving cats like Ziggy.”
Named in honor of the compassionate care provided by Livaccari, Rosenblum also created a fund to support small animal medical oncology residency training at UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
Her gift supports veterinary residents by providing funds needed for research projects, publications and costs necessary for their rigorous four-year program. It also honors MedVet New Orleans veterinarians and technicians who cared compassionately for Ziggy.
Livaccari was deeply humbled and honored by Rosenblum’s recognition.
“I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. I love working in oncology; we are learning new things, trying new therapies and breaking new ground,” Livaccari said.
Rosenblum established her generous funds in the hopes of helping all cats with or without pedigrees and hopes others will join her in donating at uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities, to the Ziggy Fund for Feline Oncology Research or to The Dr. Mia Livaccari Oncology Resident Support Fund.
