Today is Honey‘s 18th Birthday! To celebrate, Diana brought over a basket of special treats from the chimp house, plus some pears from our very own orchard.
The cattle recently underwent their biannual foot trimmings. To trim our cows’ hooves, we utilize the services of a professional trimmer who brings specialized equipment that lifts the cows onto their sides and briefly restrains their legs. If their feet are in good shape, the trimming takes less than a minute per foot and the cows are quickly back to their normal routine.
Here, Meredith gets medications and vaccinations before being released from the chute:
Facilities and Grounds Technician, Teresa, adjusts Honey’s halter while the trimmer works on Honey’s feet:
Most trimmings are uneventful, but during Betsy’s trim, we discovered an anomaly in the medial claw of her back foot. It turned out to be an abscess—a fairly common injury, but one that would normally result in lameness. Betsy had showed absolutely no signs of discomfort whatsoever. She is one tough cow!
The abscess was opened up and drained and Besty was given medication and a bandage tough enough for a cow (is there anything duct tape can’t do?):
Dr. Erin conducted further exams, complete with x-rays, in the days following. Here, she utilizes standing sedation in one of our barn stanchions to safely treat Betsy’s foot:
After getting Betsy’s hoof cleaned up and examined, we attached a block for her comfort. Blocks are wood or polyurethane prosthetics thay are applied with a high-strength adhesive to a cow’s good claw when they have an injury which may be painful—this allows their weight to bear on the good side of their foot and relieves pressure on the painful side.
Radiographs of Betsy’s foot showed the possibility of bone changes near the abscess, so Dr. Erin felt a trip to the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital was warranted, just to be safe. Besty was loaded into our trailer for a trip to Eastern Washington for the afternoon:
The team at WSU, led by Dr. Olivarez, is highly skilled at bovine medicine and, just as importantly, they are incredibly caring and compassionate:
Once in the hospital, Betsy’s is led down an alley and into a stall:
Similar to a foot trim, she is then tilted onto her side:
Besty was given a thorough examination and treatment. Thankfully, the pathology was determined to be limited to the hoof and the vet team thought that with a little rest in the barn and proper follow-up care, she would heal just fine. She was then given a new hoof block and bandage:
The folks at WSU thought that Besty, age 18, might have been the oldest cow they had ever treated in the hospital.
When we got back to the barn late that night, Betsy was immediately greeted by her long-time herd mates who very clearly missed her:
We are hopeful that Betsy will be able to rejoin the girls in another week or so. For now, she is happy to eat her extra feed without any competition from her bossy friend, Honey:
Happy birthday dear Honey! Looks like a beautiful day there. Glad that Meredith and Betsy are doing well too. Thank you to all the medical staff. Sending hugs to everyone for all you do.
Happy birthday, Honey cow. Get well soon sweet Betsy, glad you got to come home after your treatment.
What a heartening saga to read on Honey’s 18th birthday; indeed, given how beastly human primates are to our bovine distant relatives in the Tree of Life, an 18 year-old like Betsey must be a rarity indeed to be seen at the Veterinary hospital at Wa. State. I am so glad that she is home after a relatively short visit to Pullman, and that she can enjoy her food in peace (for a while, anyway) from the bossy birthday girl. All three of these cow-women deserved the beauty of that rainbow which, I hope, is a portend of a good new year of life for Honey, and good health to all who have been allowed to grow into old age at the Sanctuary.
Tobin, what you wrote is beautiful. It really captures my feelings about our bovine friends. The rainbow picture is exquisite and, I hope, as you do, that it portends good luck for everyone at the sanctuary.
I agree, once again, with all Tobin said. So glad Betsy’s foot was discovered early. So glad for the love and compassionate care all the animals at CSNW receive. And what a gorgeous opening photo of that huge rainbow!
Happy Birthday to Honey cow. It appears she appreciated all the special goodies. Thanks for spoiling her on her special day.
Thank goodness Betsy will be fine with rest, relaxation, and some extra TLC from all of you. Fascinating learning about her hoof block. Very cool. You offer outstanding care to everyone at the sanctuary. It’s no wonder that Betsy and Honey are 18! These three girls are so very fortunate and I think they know it. Thank you.
I send you birthday greetings from across the miles,darling Honey cow. it’s clear to see your special day was filled with love and some very delicious largesse from the gang.Heartfelt wishes for a full recovery, sweet Betsy.Once again the medical team worked wonders giving you their skill, care and attention for literally getting you back on your feet.:sparkling_heart::sparkling_heart::ox::ox:
Happy birthday to the one and only Honey Cow! Nothing like some delicious fresh fruits on your special day!
I am glad to know that Betsy’s foot will heal up well and that it’s nothing more serious. I know she receives the best care and she’s got plenty of humans to wait on her hand and foot (or hoof) as she recovers!
Loved the hstory of Betsey’s foot. I was thinking if she was a cat or dog she would have been pretty mad at you cuare givers; so glad she will be okey. A big happy birthday to Honey.
Not for the trimming, maybe for the draining of the abscess.
I’ve watched a bit of SWFarrier on YT; apparently, it feels like a manicure/pedicure. He’s had to treat lots of horses with blocks similar to what Betsy got here.
Well, happy bday to Honey cow! I hope thry didn’t get “drunk” on all of the apples and pears!
Glad to hear Betsy will keep on kerpin’ on. Meredith got her stubborn streak from somewhere!