Posted on 07/09/2006 5:33:17 PM PDT by wjersey
Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro has developed "potentially serious" complications to his injured right hind leg, and underwent surgery to replace hardware and treat a new infection.
Late Saturday, the 3-year-old colt, who shattered his leg at the start of the Preakness on May 20, had the titanium plate and a number of screws replaced after developing discomfort in the leg and a "consistently" high temperature.
The surgery was performed by Dr. Dean Richardson at the University of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center, where Barbaro has been recovering in the intensive care unit.
In a statement released Sunday, Richardson emphasized that the complications are "potentially serious."
"Barbaro had developed some discomfort and a consistently elevated temperature so we believed it was in his best interest to remove the hardware and thoroughly clean the site of the infection," Richardson said. "We also applied a longer cast on that leg for additional support."
It is the third procedure in less than a week for Barbaro. He had the cast on his injured leg replaced and some new screws inserted Monday, and on Wednesday another new cast was applied. Also, Barbaro is being treated for a small infection on the sole of his uninjured left hind hoof, according to the hospital.
Richardson said Barbaro's main fracture is healing well, but the pastern joint _ a joint above the hoof _ continues to be a concern. The joint was stabilized with "new implants and a fresh bone graft."
Barbaro took longer to recover from the anesthesia from this latest procedure, Richardson said. But he said the colt was back in his stall and receiving pain medication, antibiotics and "other supportive care."
Barbaro's owners and trainer continue to visit twice daily, the statement said.
Thanks for the Barbaro update.
Thanks for the post.
My best to Barbaro. He's a real fighter.
I love this horse; thanks for the update, I've been wondering how he is doing.
Indeed, my lord, it is a most absolute and excellent horse. --Shakespeare, Henry V
Pray for Barbaro PING!
Prayers for this horse.
I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night, but I think the pastern break was always considered the worse of the breaks, it was the bone that was in many pieces, and is the joint that will have a lot of torque on it whenever he moves.
Prayers for the colt. He's been a good boy all along, he deserves to beat this and get well.
Thanks for the ping.
He does deserve it. He's in the best place for solving problems, I think. If it was easy, they wouldn't charge the big bucks to do this kind of work, right?
Darn, I hate to hear that. Prayers sent out for his total recovery.
You are right. He has had a perfect attitude about the whole situation this whole time. He has never been a problem for them. That makes any bad news even worse to hear and makes it even more of a bummer for his humans.
very sad to read this................. prayers and thoughts.....
I'm sorry, though I find it very difficult to pray at any length for a horse.
Yes it is sad. His vet said that this would happen, though. We need to remember to pray for his humans also, because this whole week has rattled them pretty good. Alex said on Thursday that when he saw Michael's team walk by to go to the track, just the looks on their faces kept him from asking questions.
Then at least pray for his owners and his trainer and all the others that are around him.
St. Francis preached to the animals, and one of St. Anthony of Padua's miracles involved a horse kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament.
C'mon, grit your teeth and pray for the boy. Or ask St. Anthony to pray for him.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.