Barbaro Has Surgery After 'Complications'

Breitbart (AP) ^ | 7/9/2006 | Staff

[AnAmericanMother]

Dang -- severe laminitis. That is very, very bad.

More prayers!

[STARWISE]

Heartbreaking ... Derby winner Barbaro fighting for life

7/13/2006 11:28:44 AM

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (AP) - Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro has developed a severe case of laminitis, a potentially fatal disease brought on by uneven weight distribution in the limbs, and his veterinarian called his chances of survival "a long shot."

Dean Richardson, the chief surgeon who has been treating Barbaro since the colt suffered catastrophic injuries in the Preakness on May 20, said the Derby winner's chances of survival are poor.

"I'd be lying if I said anything other than poor," Richardson said Thursday at a news conference at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. "As long as the horse is not suffering, we're going to continue to try (to save him).

"If we can keep him comfortable, we think it's worth the effort."

If not, Barbaro could be euthanized at any time. Richardson said if Barbaro does not respond quickly to treatment, "It could happen within 24 hours."

Richardson said the laminitis nearly has destroyed the colt's hoof on his uninjured left hind leg.

Laminitis, a painful condition, developed in the past few days. The disease turned more serious in the past day.

"The left hind is basically as bad laminitis as you can have," Richardson said, adding that horses have recovered from laminitis. He said he has discussed the situation closely with owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson.

Richardson said Barbaro's injured right hind leg - the one that shattered at the start of the Preakness - is healing well, but because a horse has to be evenly balanced, laminitis set in on the other foot.

"We removed a large portion of his (left) foot wall, probably 20 per cent of it," Richardson said. "He's in a foot cast with foam padding and antiseptic dressing. We'll see if can regrow his hoof. It will take months and months."

The grim update came after nearly six weeks of a smooth recovery. Barbaro had hours of surgery on May 21 to insert a titanium plate and 27 screws into three broken bones and the pastern joint, and has had two other operations in recent days.

"I really thought we were going to make it two weeks ago," Richardson said. "Today I'm not as confident."

[Veto!]

Oh such sad news. Redoubled prayers to St. Francis: Dear little Saint, lover and understander of animals, please pray that this most magnificent of God's creatures live a long and healthy life.

[beyond the sea]

Richardson said the laminitis nearly has destroyed the colt's hoof on his uninjured left hind leg. Laminitis, a painful condition, developed in the past few days. The disease turned more serious in the past day. "The left hind is basically as bad laminitis as you can have," Richardson said

I am sick............... more than sick.

God blesses all animals.

[Rte66]

Me, too - I have been shaking ever since I saw the words in print and then saw the news clips a little while ago.

You should see the Barbaro message board today. There will be a lot of sad people in the world if this should end badly. Not just children and horse-lovers, either.

I'm not giving up on Bobby and no one else is, either. Prayers up for Doc R, Roy & Gretchen Jackson, Michael Matz, Kathy Anderson and all of Barbaro's humans in the days to come.

http://www.vet.upenn.edu/barbaro/messageboard.php

[xarmydog]

I am devastated at the latest news.I am praying for his survival.Even if he were to be lame for the rest of his life,it would be better than having to be put down,which in itself is something that I could never understand.Horses are so stong in most areas,but I know how vulenerable their legs are.I am wishing for the best.

[onyx]

Me too and bump.

[krunkygirl]

With all the other horrific world news, I just am sooo saddened by this turn of events for Barbaro.
I know the vets and the owners will do the right thing for him...I hope he can manage a miracle of healing.

[Rte66]

We're all here, too:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1665044/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1664581/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1663378/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1663304/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1662379/posts

That's in case I can't post again this afternoon.

[xarmydog]

Thank you for your updates.You are most certainly a caring person.Again,thanks.

[WestCoastGal]

They just reported on CNN that the colt could be euthanized in 24 hours if he doesn't respond to the current treatment. This fabulous story may turn very sad soon. I hate to see this happen after everything he's gone through and how he tolerated all of it in such good spirits.

He has captivated all of us. I hope and pray he can make through this setback.

[Rushmore Rocks]

I've been trying to keep up with the news about Barbaro with all the other mess going on.

How terribly sad. He has a warrior's spirit and I pray that his passing will be peaceful and pain free.

[WestCoastGal]

"I've been trying to keep up with the news about Barbaro with all the other mess going on. "

The whole world seems to have lost it's mind.

I think the laminitis was what they feared from the beginning. I still have hope they can pull him through this, we need some good news to hang onto right now.

[Rushmore Rocks]

...."good news to hang on to"........

YEP

[Wolfstar]

Secretariat, the greatest horse I have seen or ever will see, had to be euthanized due to laminitis. He was only 19, which is middle age for a horse. Laminitis is one of the most deadly diseases a horse can get. Survival rate is extremely poor.

When Red died, Mrs. Penny Chenery, his owner during his racing days, set up a laminitis research program in assoication with the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. The foundation does wonderful research work into equine diseases and injuries.

Even all these years later, I (along with thousands of others) still love Red in a way I could never express. I still cry when I think of him suffering even for a minute, let alone for the month that the vets and Claiborne Farm people worked to try to save his life.

The only thing we who love horses like Secretariat and Barbaro (and Ruffian, Go For Wand, and too many others to name here) can do for them now, is maybe to contribute a few dollars to research facilities like New Bolton and the Grayson-Jockey Club Foundation.

Royalties from the sale of Secretariat and Ruffian products go to support the Grayson foundation. So a good way to contribute would be to buy any of those products. Secretariat's official website.

Lastly, although people who say breakdowns are part of racing are correct, I always hear a shrug in that comment. Maybe the new racing surface being installed this year at some of the major tracks around the country will help reduce the number of catastrophic breakdowns like that which happened to Barbaro. I hope so. Because for every Barbaro, there are countless cheap, unloved claiming horses who suffer the same and worse fates. They are cycled from one barn to the next in an ever downward spiral that might last as long as 8-10 years. A few are rescued, but most eventually wind up at the slaughterhouse crippled and worn out.

This next link is to the graphic Sports Illustrated photos of Go For Wand's catastrophic breakdown. Look at them to see one part of the unromanticized truth.

[the OlLine Rebel]

"Maybe the new racing surface being installed this year at some of the major tracks around the country will help reduce the number of catastrophic breakdowns like that which happened to Barbaro"

Don't count on that NOT having "unintended consequences", such as the RESPIRATORY ISSUES we hear about - both for horses and the jockeys.

Living with foreign objects in your lungs wouldn't be very nice. And unlike many break-downs, it wouldn't be quick and instantaneous.

[onyx]

Excellent, thoughtful post. Thanks for the ping.

[Wolfstar]

Don't count on that NOT having "unintended consequences", such as the RESPIRATORY ISSUES we hear about - both for horses and the jockeys.

When it comes to horse racing (and most things in life) I don't count on anything. My comment was a wish, a hope. Nothing more.

[Wolfstar]

Excellent, thoughtful post.

Thanks, my friend.

BTW, I won't be able to go with you to the library this time. The Nissan move is happening the next two weeks and I will be swamped.

[onyx]

I knew you'd be busy. I'll just have to see you next year. Prayers for this magnificent, sweet horse.