Support Mac's new life

Russell and I found Mac as a stray dog on our street when he was 12 weeks old. He was covered in fleas and malnourished. We had hoped to get a second dog one day, and Mac magically walked right up to our doorstep. Of course, Tabby wasn't thrilled but he made sure to show her all the love he has to give. We are absolutely in love with our dogs and will do anything for them.

On Friday May 6th, we took Mac to our regular vet because he showed signs of pain and had difficulty getting on the bed and up the stairs. Our vet took an x-ray and suspected arthritis in his lumbar spine. Mac got prescribed pain medication and rest at home. That night there were a few scary moments when he screamed in pain because of a certain movement he made in his body. But the worst part was the next morning because he was paralyzed and had no function in his back legs. He could not walk on his back legs and could not feel them.

We rushed Mac to the Southeast Veterinary Neurology in Boynton Beach, FL because our regular vet recommended that Mac get an MRI. Mac received the MRI and was diagnosed with IVDD (intervertebral disc disease), which is common among certain breeds, including Mac. The MRI showed that Mac had ruptured L1-L3, and the hemorrhaging traveled. He was categorized as a Stage 4 out of 5 for IVDD and would need surgery. The surgery would give Mac a 50% chance of walking again (with his hind legs), and he would be at risk for Myelomalacia. Myelomalacia is a severe spinal cord injury. This fatal condition manifests as a rapid and progressive necrosis (death) of the spinal cord.

There was no way we would give up on Mac because he wouldn't hesitate to help us if he were in our position. The only chance Mac had was to get a spinal surgery within 24 hours of the injury, because there are not much options for a Stage 4 IVDD dog recovering from an injury like this.

Mac's surgery went well, but took a downturn when they discovered that a small detection of myelomalcia occured on Sunday. Thankfully, it has not progressed since then, and every day we pray that we can bring Mac home and care for him in a new way as a paralyzed pet.

We are hopeful that Mac will return home to us. However, in order for Mac to return home, there will be a complete lifestyle change for both of us. We will manually express his urine for the rest of his life, and he may never use his hind legs again. We will do whatever it takes to care for Mac, and we are asking for your support. Currently, Mac is being cared for by a fantastic group of caring people at the Southeast Veterinary Neurology in Boynton Beach, FL. They give us 2 updates everyday and a picture. We even got to visit him!!!

The $2,500 will help cover the remaining vet fees, rehabilitation, and a wheelchair. Your donation will go towards his new life as a paralyzed dog. We would be so grateful to do all of this for him. Our dogs are our world, and we are forever thankful for your support. Thank you to everyone who has reached out and made us smile. I will include updates on Mac regularly, and as of right now, if everything goes well, we hope to get him back home on Monday May 16th.

Thank you so much.