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.
Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.
He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
Job 39:19-25
Excellent - thanks for passing that along!
Powerful stuff. "He swalloweth the ground ..." so true.
Bless our boy, Barbaro, as he dreams of swallowing up yards and yards of ground and remembers it covered with buttercups.
Brand new report that just came out about an hour or 2 ago says that Dr. Richardson found a bacterial infection in Barbaro's left hind (his good leg). He is going to be informing the Jacksons of the details tomorrow. We should have more information (hopefully) sometime tomorrow also.
This is *after* the abscess was cleaned and re-bandaged yesterday? Oh, dear.
Let's see ... I was afraid the frequent in-and-out of the pool might be keeping it too moist, letting germs grow. But we found out yesterday that they're doing a local sedative, instead of full anesthesia, and I'm guessing that doesn't require the pool recovery - but they did say they used a sling.
Do they have slings they rig up on "dry land," such as in the stall? Hope that's not a stupid question, but if it just eased him off the legs for just a little bit, just like my traction unit for my neck eases the pressure off my cervical vertebrae for 30 or so minutes, maybe that would help? Just wondering out loud.
Godspeed, Barbaro, Godspeed!
They take him to another stall where they stick him in a sling, then they sedate him, I think. Dr Richardson talked about how they do it for Anesthetic purposes on the May 21st press conference and that was very interesting. I wish you had a way to watch it. They didnt need to put him in the pool for the cast change this time. I think he was too tired to fight it.
Here is the latest....
Update 207: The Baltimore Sun covers the same problem in the "good" leg that was covered by the New York Times (update 205): Barbaro suffers another setback (thanks Sarah). Please read in full. Someone in the comments noted that it was a positive signal that I even saw Michael this morning. Oddly I had the same thought, and had mentioned it to Michael earlier (that I was relieved to see him at Fair Hill). I am not sure if he heard me to be honest.
Update 206: Saw Michael Matz this morning as I was going to the track. He told me Dr. Richardson had called and said Barbaro appeared a little brighter this morning (wednesday). I suspect we should take this news within the context of the two articles reproduced in Update 205. I'll post more later as I learn more.
updated wednesday 7:20am
There was an article in the Washington Post that was very bad, and it just didn't seem right. They quoted Dr Richardson as saying some things that I dont think he would have said. It was very different from the NY Times article. Alex Brown put the article up on www.timwoolleyracing.com if you want to read it. I think the fact that Michael Matz was at Fair Hill this morning instead of holed up at NBC speaks volumes, so I dont think the Washington Times article is right.
http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/Barbaro_Update7-12.htm
Barbaros condition guarded
July 12, 2006
KENNETT SQUARE, PA Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro is continuing to rest comfortably today according to Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. As we said yesterday, Barbaros condition is potentially serious, and we are aggressively seeking all treatment options, he said. Today we will focus on further diagnostics and keeping our patient comfortable. Barbaro is being treated for fractures received at the Preakness on May 20 as well as discomfort in his left hind foot.
Hes facing tough odds and his condition is guarded, said Dr. Richardson. Our entire staff is determined to do all they can for this magnificent horse. All decisions are being made in constant consultation with the owners, who continue to be only interested in his comfort.
Barbaro remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the George D. Widener Hospital at the University of Pennsylvanias New Bolton Center.
Watch for a media advisory for a press conference later this week. For more information on Barbaro, please see www.vet.upenn.edu.
I'm not being silent on purpose. I'm here, always.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/15024686.htm
Barbaro Update:
The colt's condition is scheduled to be discussed at a news conference Thursday.
......... very worried.
...myself ... heartsick ...
Update 216: Spoke to Michael Matz this morning (thursday). It appears Bobby is still doing OK given all we know. I asked Michael a little more about the press conference this morning. He won't be able to attend, but is aware that Dr. Dean Richardson will be very forthcoming with everything that is occuring (no surprise apparently if you know Dean). Michael also mentioned he received a very nice letter, which he gave to Peter (Brette) to give to me, that discussed this site. I'll look forward to reading it. (Peter could not give it to me since he was on a horse, Michael was on Messaging and I was on one of Tim's horses, whose "nickname" is also Bobby!) I am planning to attend the press conference.
update thursday, 7:15 am
timwoolleyracing.com
Whatever is best for him....despite our feelings
thank you
Me too.
Amen!
LIVE CONF. ON NOW - MSNBC .. prayers for sweet Barbaro
Can't find link . . . please keep us posted!
Has the press conference taken place? How is our horse?
Prayers!
Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was fighting for his life Thursday after developing a severe case of laminitis, a potentially fatal disease brought on by uneven weight distribution in the limbs.
Dean Richardson, the chief surgeon who has been treating Barbaro since the colt suffered catastrophic injuries in the Preakness on May 20, called the Derby winner's chances of survival "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."
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