Meredith has always been a bit different from her herd mates — standing up when the others are lying down, facing east when the others are facing west, and so on — but this past summer we noticed that something other than her independent streak was causing her to lag behind her herd as they moved between pastures. By fall, a change in her gait became noticeable. Dr. Erin performed several evaluations, and Meredith even took a trip to the large animal hospital at Washington State University (WSU), but the veterinary team was unable to hone in on a specific diagnosis. Pain management and other therapeutics seemed to help, but not enough.
During her most recent exam at the sanctuary, however, Dr. Erin found radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in Meredith’s front right foot, which meant that we had an explanation for her discomfort and, potentially, something we could treat with greater focus. Dr. Erin consulted with several large animal veterinarians and Meredith was booked for another appointment at WSU.
Meredith, in the chute, undergoing a recent exam:
Dr. Erin obtaining radiographs of the feet and spine:
Amanda treating Meredith with laser therapy:
Another Dr. Erin (Erin Thorlakson, Family and Animal Chiropractor), evaluating Meredith, with Honey observing:
Nutmeg, Assistant to the Regional Chiropractor:
The treatment, known as facilitated ankylosis, would involve fusing the affected joints and would be performed by the veterinary staff at WSU. With everything arranged, we drove Meredith across the state again and the procedure was performed this past Tuesday.
Getting a cow to an appointment 3 1/2 hours away requires starting early, bribing the herd with hay and grain to sort them, and praying to the cow gods that Meredith will load into the trailer without problems:
One last safety check before we depart on our road trip:
Meredith on the exam/treatment table at WSU, surrounded by faculty veterinarians, residents, and vet students:
Dr. Oliverez performing an ultrasound on Meredith’s foot:
Right now we are making preparations so that Meredith can be on restricted activity for a while within her own cozy section of the barn. Weather permitting, we hope to pick her up on Wednesday and reunite her with her family. It will take some time before we can determine if or how well the procedure has worked, and she will likely have to make repeated trips to see her friends at WSU for follow-ups on this treatment and possibly treatments on other feet, but we are hopeful that she will be able to graze the upper pastures with her herd this spring.
Meredith’s home-away-from-home at WSU while she receives her treatment:
By the way, some of you may know that we’ve been hoping to acquire a more powerful portable ultrasound machine for many years now. Thanks to a a whole team of people, including a wonderful family in Montana, our favorite veterinary cardiologist Dr. Nelson, and supporters Brad and Becky (who generously donated the funds!), we were able to purchase a very lightly used machine from an estate at an amazing price.
Don’t forget to vote in the photo contest – it ends tonight, January 8th at 6:00pm Pacific!
Poor Meredith! I hope the procedure worked and she gets to feeling better and being her wonderful, independent self again soon!
You can’t just administer cortisone shots rather than surgery?….
But one can’t be on those forever
You are all so dedicated and accommodating to provide the necessary care and treatment for all of your residents! Hoping Meredith is back with her family and feeling better soon!
Thank you for taking such wonderful care of Meredith.
You always go above and beyond for all sanctuary residents.:revolving_hearts:
Get well soon, dear Meredith! your condition sounds very painful, but you are in the best of care with up to the minute technology. Thankyou all for these amazing Meredith photos including Meredith on the treatment table! She couldn’t be cared for more and will be up and about with her pals. Also a shout out of thanks to the brilliant medical team!
Meredith, i’m saying a little prayer for you to be fully back on your feet (pun intended) very soon. With my recent diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee I know what pain is and it ain’t good. i too lag behind my herd, I mean friends, on a walk. But it sounds like everyone at CSNW and at WSU is taking on this task to get you back in the field and for that I send a million thank yous.
Kind of surprising that they didn’t realize at WSU the first time that Meredith was suffering from arthritis. I hope she will soon be feeling well and back home very soon. You are all amazing!
I’ve always identified with Meredith and her ‘opposite ways’. Now she’s following me, unfortunately, down tne arthritis path. But she’s in the very best place possible with the resident Professor of Limited Activity expert, Negra. Number one rule, Only speed up if there’s particularly yummy food on offer.
Great to hear about the ultrasound deal, J.B. …..they’ll all be queueing up for a go!
Sweet Meredith girl…..I too had foot surfery for osteoarthritis and it was a great success. May you have great relief too..and be pain free.
Thanks to JB and Diana for providing such good care to all these creatures. Thanks to all the vets and caregivers for chosing to treat these sweet animals.
So sorry to hear Meredith has been going through all of this, but thank you for all that you are all doing for her care. Sending healing prayers for her speedy recovery so she can be back with her family again. We appreciate all the information and the pictures as well. Thank you to all those who helped you acquire that ultrasound machine.
A wonderful chronology of many dedicated hard working concerned folks doing their best for a member of the family. The consultation, help and concern shown by the bovine members of the family is a tribute to them, their caregivers and the patient. Get well soon Meredeth!
Poor Meredith. I hope that someone that she knows from CSNW is with her. Distressing as this must be for her, I know that at least she is being properly cared for; it helps when one is regarded as a living person with rights and dignity, and not as a possession or commodity. As with all of the residents of the Sanctuary, she will be on my mind, and heart
If love makes a difference, Meredith will get through this challenge.
Thinking loving happy thoghts Meredith!!!
You are loved alot….
Good luck to seet Metedith-do they have leg and foot braces for cows? Braces would give her added support as she walks over uneven ground. i can sympathize with Merideth from having RA,OA abd scoliosis!
Love, support and appreciation to all of you for the excellent care you provide for everyone. Sending Meredith healing vibes and light. How wonderful that CSNW got a “new” ultrasound machine.. thanks to all who made that possible!
I’m sure that Meredith will be fine. She is fortunate to have you folks to look after her.
It is such a challenge to find care for farm animals that are a bit older. The text books the vet schools have don’t address the challenges of “geriatric” farm animals. It is great that WSU is up to the challenge.
Mereideth, you pay attention to your care givers and have a speedy recovery!
Clearly her cow pals were concerned about what was being done to her as they came to looked on more closely. Very touching photos. Thanks for taking such good care of her and for sharing the step-by-step proceedures with photos with all of us.
Poor independent Meredith! All I can think of is all that body weight on that poor little foot. Of course you did everything you could and beyond because that’s what you do. Knowing it’s what you do still didn’t make it any less astounding when I read about it. Meredith is so very fortunate to be in your care. Thank you to everyone involved in improving her quality of life.
The photos are so helpful to better understand the reality of this process. Good girl Meredith!! Looking forward to future reports on what I hope will be positive results!