Last night I lost it. I’ve been remaining strong since McKenzie Rae became ill on Saturday but I couldn’t hang on anymore. I just had to cry. As I sat on the floor next to McKenzie as she laid on the couch, I cried as I watched her struggle to open her eyes. It was painful for me to watch but I can’t imagine how painful it was for my baby girl.
We still don’t really know what’s going on with McKenzie’s eyes but we do know that they aren’t even producing tears, which makes her eyes extremely dry. She’s on Optimmune, a medication to help her eyes, and artificial tears. When Matt came home last night, McKenzie sat up but she couldn’t open her eyes to see him. It was extremely depressing. At the time, her eyes were filled with the medication, so I decided to give her a break and not put the gel in her eyes for a while. I can’t imagine how uncomfortable it is to have all that icky goop in your eyes.
All day yesterday, McKenzie Rae ate like normal. I fed her a full meal four times. Eggs, sausage, chicken, turkey, salmon, dog food…she had it all. I gave her wet food with a lot of water in an attempt to hydrate her. I felt much better when she fell for my trick and sipped up every last bit. At least she was eating and getting some sort of fluid into her system.
McKenzie is still going potty normally. I pay close attention when she does her business and everything is normal. She can walk fine, which is a blessing but I know she’s still weak. I’m also thinking that she may not want to get up much because it’s hard for her to see. I know I wouldn’t want to get up if I were in her position!
Today we were supposed to leave for our house in California. As you may have guessed, we aren’t going. My animals’ comfort comes before mine and I don’t want to put McKenzie through a six hour road trip. If I was that sick, I sure as heck wouldn’t want to travel. It’s a bummer that we can’t go to CA but it’s a bigger bummer that my baby is sick. Matt is very much in agreement with me. He doesn’t want her to travel unless she’s 100% better. Have I mentioned how amazing he is?! 🙂
Recently I fed McKenzie Rae wet food and added a lot of water. I also gave her some grain free puppy food. It has a lot of protein in it and we’re trying to help McKenzie gain weight. Thankfully she very much enjoyed it. I also gave her the antibiotics for her URI, which seems to be getting better. Her breathing seems normal and she’s only coughing a little bit. At least there’s some sort of improvement?
Dr. Olson said I need to keep a close eye on McKenzie Rae until she’s engaging in normal activity. I’ve just been praying to God that the moment will come soon. I miss my little girl running around the house playing and jumping on me with those super long legs.
I love McKenzie so much. We all do. We’ll do anything we need to do so she can feel better, and we are. We’re doing everything possible and following our vet’s expertise. All we want for Christmas is for our girl to be healthy again.
Is she able to see a canine ophthalmologist? As you know I am well acquainted with eye issues and know how heartbreaking it is to see them in pain or discomfort. Boca’s eye ordeal went on for ten weeks and finally through her miraculous surgery she started to heal. I hope you can find some answers for McKenzie and applaud you for all you have done for this darling girl. Thinking of you!
That is the next step! I just left a message for my doctor to update him on her condition. Her eyes didn’t become irritated and dry until she got sick, so I can’t help but think the two issues are related. But I will take her to the eye doc if it’s necessary!!!!!
We are keeping McKenzie in our thoughts. A canine eye doc sounds like the right move. Purrs and Prayers
Darn it! Hoping it gets better quick!
Poor McKenzie! I hope she starts to feel better soon! <3
~Hugs~
Keeping Mckenzie in our pawrayers!!
xoxo,
Ginger, Matt & Matilda
Thank you so much!
You and your husband are wonderful! I would feel exactly the same and cancel plans for the comfort and care of our fur kid! Continued thoughts, prayers and crossed fingers & paws for McKenzie!!
Thank you Denise! Luckily our family understood why we couldn’t go to CA this year.
She’s being so well taken care of, you guys are seriously the best parents. I hope she gets back to normal soon, I can only imagine how distressing the situation is, especially when it lasts for awhile.
I wish her a speedy recovery & hope you guys have an awesome holiday. Feel better soon McKenzie.
Thanks Jen! It means a lot to me that you’ve been so supportive of our new journey with McKenzie! It’s been a very stressful five days or so, but I’m just glad we can be there for her. The vet said if she was on the street, she’d be dead. There’s no way her immune system would have held up with the sickness out in the cold. Merry Christmas to you!!
Sorry for you because you couldn’t take your Christmas journey, but I think you are the best parents ever. And I do think your little girl McKenzie are a lucky dog after all. Hope she will be better soon. And Merry Christmas to you and your “kids”.
Thank you so much. We’re really doing our best!
I will pray that McKenzie will have a Christmas Miracle! Merry Christmas to you, Matt and your furry family have good day!
Merry Christmas, Sharon! Thank you!
Bless her precious heart! That first pic brought a tear to my eye. My heart goes out to you and Matt, I know how heartbreaking it is to see one of your kids sick and know that you’re doing everything you can but only time will heal. Saying prayers for Mackenzie Rae and for you. Hopefully she will make a dramatic improvement soon!
I know this post is a touch on the older side. I’m hoping you have some good news to share very soon. McKenzie looks like an absolute darling, and I know how difficult it can be when our pups are ill. I’ll keep your family in my thoughts.
Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie
Thank you Jean! She is doing MUCH better! All of my babies are finally healthy. The perfect way to bring in the new year 🙂