Posted on 01/28/2007 3:00:36 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
Update from Dr. Dean W. Richardson on Barbaro’s condition
KENNETT SQUARE, PA — On Saturday, January 27, Barbaro was taken back to surgery because we could not keep him comfortable on his right hind foot. That foot developed a deep subsolar abscess secondary to bruising when he went through a period of discomfort on the left hind foot. It is not laminitis but the undermining of the sole and part of the lateral heel region are potentially just as serious. We attempted to manage the right hind foot in a cast and then in a custom fabricated brace but it was impossible to have access to the foot for treatment as well as acceptable stability and comfort. We elected to place his right hind in an external skeletal fixation device in order to provide the foot a chance to heal. This means that two steel pins have been placed transversely through his right hind cannon bone. These pins are connected to external sidebars that in turn are connected to a lightweight alloy foot plate. This results in the horse eliminating all weight bearing from the foot; the horse's weight is borne through the pins across his cannon bone. There is significant risk in this approach but we believed it was our only option given the worsening of the right hind foot problem. The major risk of the external skeletal fixation device is that the bone bearing the weight can fracture. Unfortunately, we felt we needed to take this risk because this approach offered our only hope of keeping Barbaro acceptably comfortable.
He had a perfect recovery from anesthesia and has been in and out of the sling since then. His left hind foot appears to be stable at this time. We remain concerned about both front feet. Remarkably, his attitude and appetite were excellent overnight.
We will continue to treat Barbaro aggressively as long as he remains bright, alert and eating. This is another significant setback that exemplifies how complex his medical situation remains because both hind limbs have major problems. Barbaro remains in the Intensive Care Unit of Penn’s George D. Widener Hospital at New Bolton Center. Updates will be provided when new information is available.
He's hanging on longer than Fransisco Franco.
Well, carp.
Just one thing after another.
He sure needs some relief. I hope he can weather this crisis and stay positive.
Sure doesn't sound very good. If he founders in his fronts, it's going to be heartbreaking.
All the best.
Poor brave pony. Remember Nureyev and try to keep going.
Don't veterinarians also take an oath "to do no harm"? I am sickened by the pain the greedy have put this animal through.
That right hind abscess had me worried the minute they mentioned it last week.
Nooooooooo, Barbaro, Nooooooooooooo!
Fix him, Lord, fix him! Please?
Is that supposed to be funny? Ass.
"I am sickened by the pain the greedy have put this animal through."
You don't know what you're talking about.
They should have been harvesting sperm since the injury and freezing it . Even if he has to be put down, the line goes on with artificial insemenation .
I don't think it's greed that have brought them this far at all. When they made a decision to make a try at saving him, that meant the further along they got, the harder it is to decide it hasn't been worth it. I don't know if they're approaching that decision now or not, but I trust that of all horses, he has more people pulling for him than most.
You can't register thoroughbreds unless they breed naturally. The Jockey Club doesn't allow AI.
And plus... to collect semen, he still has to be able to mount the breeding dummy.
ping
The Jacksons have said all along that they only want to keep trying as long as Barbaro is comfortable.
Greed has nothing to do with it. In fact, they would have made money by putting him down.
They bred Barbaro, they love him, they see him EVERY day...they are not doing this for the money.
Hair, I know you understand.
Last I will say on the subject...good night.
Excuse me? Would you like to explain what you mean by that?
Thanks for the info. I don't follow racing , but , still a shame to end a line with the genetic+++ for racing . Probably will change the rules in the coming "brave new world "
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