Preakness - Barbaro - OMG!!!

[maxiesmom]

The first thing I did when I got home from work was to turn on the computer and see how Barbaro was doing. I was so scared that they would have put him down! I'm so glad he is doing better. It seems to be an hour by hour thing. Our prayers are helping! Keep it up!!

Here are for Barbaro. I can't find apples, so a couple of bananas will have to do!!

 

[Luv'sTink]

A Brief, Elementary Introduction to Laminitis or Founder 101

Lamina [L.], A thin flat layer or membrane.

itis [Gr.], Suffix meaning inflammation of.

Laminitis is a malady affecting the horse's foot. There are many causes of laminitis. Most of the laminitis we see is called Alimentary laminitis. Each different cause may be called by many other names. For example, one form of alimentary laminitis might be called grass founder , another called grain-binge. A mare who has not discharge all of the placenta after giving birth is at risk of getting laminitis, some call this retained placenta, while others might call this metritis. The important thing to know is that there are many reasons a horse might get laminitis and many different names people will use when they talk about it.

The reason we are so concerned about laminitis is that it can leave permanent scars in the horse's feet. Laminitis will affect each horse differently (even each foot of the same horse), from the barely noticeable case to the fatal case. It is important to think of laminitis as a symptom of other problems the horse is experiencing. Because we become aware of laminitis through the lameness it produces in the feet, if we only fix the feet we are ignoring the real problem, and the lameness may come back.

Laminitis means inflammation of the laminae. The Laminae (pronounced Lamin-nee) are the tissues that connect the hoof wall to the Coffin Bone. The Laminae are arranged in vertical rows beginning at the Hair line, or Coronary Band, continuing down to the ground. The largest percentage of Laminae are in the front or Anterior region of the hoof, where they are longest. They gradually become shorter as they approach the heels. The hoof has Sensitive and Insensitive Laminae. The Laminae connected to the hoof wall are the Insensitive Laminae. The Laminae connected to the Coffin Bone are the Sensitive Laminae. The Sensitive Laminae are vascular and innervated. The Sensitive and Insensitive Laminae Interdigitate.

Laminitis is often confused with Acute Laminitis or Founder. Founder, which is a maritime term meaning sink, means that the Sensitive Laminae holding the Coffin Bone in place are letting go. In mild cases of Laminitis we are not always aware of it's presence. As inflammation (Laminitis) increases, Edema accompanies it. At this point we may begin to see lameness. Because the Laminae are between a rock and a hard place (the hoof wall and the Coffin Bone) they have nowhere to expand to accommodate the edema. So Lamellar edema displaces the blood in the Capillariesof the Sensitive Laminae causing Pressure Ischemia. If the Ischemia persists it causes the Laminae to die. This is called Acute Laminitis or Founder.

The Laminae in the front of the hoof, which carry most of the weight of the horse, will stretch and tear allowing the front part of the coffin bone to pull away from the hoof wall. This allows the Distal Border of the Coffin bone to drop to varying degrees. This is called "Rotation" (measured in degrees). In severe cases all the Laminae die, allowing the Coffin Bone to drop right through the bottom of the hoof. This is called Vertical Displacement or "Sinker". We can say a horse has "Foundered" when either Rotation or Vertical Displacement has occurred.

This is when they have to be put down, pretty obvious.

 

[crazymomof4]

I know there are more "important" causes to be concerned about...but there is just something about this horse.

I know what you mean! It's that connection that most of us have toward all animal life.

In my case, I cannot help but draw parallels between Barbaro and my cat, Max, who is fighting cancer. Surviving fibrosarcoma is considered a long-shot, the same as overcoming the odds that Barbaro has faced since his injury. Even though the vet said that the tumor would return aggressively in 4-6 months, Max is 7 months post-op with no sign return of the tumor that had been removed from his hip. (I am treating him with herbs and other supplements since the vet offered no treatment.) Like Barbaro, he is active, bright-eyed and has a voracious appetite!

I know it's irrational but, I feel like Barbaro is Max's role model to stay positive, be brave and keep fighting!

HANG IN THERE GUYS!!!!!!!!! ​

 

[crazymomof4]

I started having an interest in horses after watching Smarty Jones come so close to winning the Triple Crown. And then my interest kinda dropped off...until I saw Barbaro at the Derby. I was in love !

He has inspired me to learn more about him and other horses and racing in general...but I can't stop thinking about him...it's almost surreal.

I want him to beat the odds against him AGAIN!

Same for me! I was had no interest in horse racing until Smarty. Then last year I followed Afleet Alex. Being from the Philadelphia area, having Barbaro in the running made it 3 horses from this area in three years, which was a thrill. I just KNOW Barbaro could have won the Triple Crown, if not for this injury!

For anyone interested, go here to read about Smarty Jones and his foals (there is a slew of them- he's been very busy!) http://**********chimneys.com/SmartyJones/news.shtml

Also they posted more pictures of Barbaro here: http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/BarbaroPhotos.htm

 

[maxiesmom]

The one picture shows all of his legs wrapped. Is that to help distribute his weight?

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

The one picture shows all of his legs wrapped. Is that to help distribute his weight?

No it's strictly for support or to help keep them from swelling. I've had horses over the years, that when kept standing in stalls would have their lower legs swell due to lack of motion.

 

[hiwaygal]

Same for me! I was had no interest in horse racing until Smarty. Then last year I followed Afleet Alex. Being from the Philadelphia area, having Barbaro in the running made it 3 horses from this area in three years, which was a thrill. I just KNOW Barbaro could have won the Triple Crown, if not for this injury!

For anyone interested, go here to read about Smarty Jones and his foals (there is a slew of them- he's been very busy!) http://**********chimneys.com/SmartyJones/news.shtml

Also they posted more pictures of Barbaro here: http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/BarbaroPhotos.htm

It's so funny you posted Smarty's info! A few weeks ago I was telling my DH how many foals Smarty had (it was something like 50 at the time)...and to think he "earns" $100,000 per foal! That's ALOT of money!

I also found some great photos of Barbaro here: http://www.barbaralivingston.com/gallery/barbaro

And, I was very touched to hear that Edgar Prado visited Barbaro for the third time on Thursday or Friday...apparently Barbaro kinda fell asleep on his shoulder. How cute!

Barbaro is still doing well today, some discomfort, but that isn't unexpected. I guess they checked the left foot (changed the cast) and everything is looking as they hoped.

Barbaro continues to fight (and eat!) so there is still hope!

 

[crazymomof4]

Thanks so much for posting the link with the beautiful pictures! I thoroughly enjoyed paging through the collection.
My favorite is the one where Barbaro is staring at the cat at Church Hill Downs. In that shot he is the picture of youthful curiosity! Like he would love nothing more than to engage in a game of "chase" with that cat.

Someone on that website posted this link: http://serenityequine.com/.
It offers a ray of hope for recovery from laminitis. It's a long process, but it can be done....... and Barbaro is just the horse to do it!

 

[Deb in IA]

Latest update:

July 18, 2006 ABC News
Barbaro Still Stable, Appears Playful
Kentucky Derby Winner Barbaro Still Stable and Appears to Be Playful
By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. Jul 18, 2006 (AP)— Barbaro seems downright playful. The Kentucky Derby winner squirms in his safety device, and even sits on his damaged hind legs the way dogs do when they beg for treats. The sling Barbaro spends most of the day in was designed for comfort in his recovery. The 3-year-old colt instead sees it as a challenge.

"He was using it similar to a jolly jumper," said Dr. Kathleen Anderson, Barbaro's attending vet when the horse was racing and stabled in trainer Michael Matz's barn at the Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Md.

"He was almost doing like children do when they're bored, they do the jolly jumper where they kind of boing around the stall. He was boinging, boinging around the stall a little bit."

Those are encouraging signs for the ailing colt, though the odds of Barbaro's full recovery from a severe case of laminitis and a reconstructed right hind leg are really no better than they were a week ago.

"It is important for people to understand this is not a 'routine' laminitis," Dr. Dean Richardson said Monday in a statement. "The care involved in treating a hoof with this degree of compromise is complex."

Barbaro's condition was stable Monday, his vital signs, appetite and heart rate were normal after another comfortable night.

"We will continue to manage his pain successfully, and he is alert," Richardson said.

He said the fiberglass cast on the colt's left hind foot will be changed so the hoof can be treated and watched for signs of infection. Because of laminitis, a painful and often-fatal condition, 80 percent of the hoof wall was removed last week.

The cast on the colt's right hind leg shattered shortly after the start of the Preakness Stakes on May 20 has been changed at least four times in the last two weeks.

"He has learned how to adapt his posture to the sling so he can benefit from the most comfort," Anderson told The Associated Press.

Anderson left a mid-afternoon visit feeling good about the way the colt looked, though she noted that the prognosis for his recovery was still not encouraging.

"The reality is, you have to say poor at this point in time," she said. "It doesn't mean it's hopeless and I think that's the big difference."

Nearly everyone who has visited Barbaro during the past week has said the same things about his appearance: He looks bright-eyed and alert.

Those seemingly never-ending deliveries of apples, carrots and peppermints from fans don't seem to be going to waste, given the reports of his hearty appetite. Kennett Florist makes several deliveries a day to the hospital, its vans overflowing with roses and gourmet baskets sent from well-wishers.

"It's been very good for business, but it's been very time consuming," store owner Alie Berstler said. "These people are very, very upset."

Berstler said one fan ordered four dozen roses at a time, and estimates she has probably delivered more than 400 roses, 300 apples and 150 pounds of carrots since late last week.

 

[CheshireVal]

It's good news so far, but kind of sad, too. By all accounts, he's playful and happy....so it's hard to think about the reality that he still might not make it through this.

 

[crazymomof4]

It reminds you that he is still a young horse- not even really a "horse" yet, technically, but a still a colt.

Watching a child, even an animal "child" fight for his/her life is a difficult thing.

Watched the movie, "Racing Stripes" today with the kids and all I could think of as I watched it was Barbaro!

 

[wdwmom2]

Although he is not out of the woods, it's great to hear any encouraging news... http://msn.foxsports.com/horseracing/story/5872822?FSO1&ATT=HMA
http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/Barbaro_Update8-14.htm

 

[Deb in IA]

Thanks for the update. I was thinking about Barbaro just the other day, and wondering how he was doing.

I am most struck by how docile and well-behaved he is, for a supposedly temperamental and high strung champion throughbred.

(And I LOVED the part where the vet's beeper goes off . . . I can SO relate!!!)

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Thanks for the update. I am so glad he is improving.

 

[punkin712]

That was such a sweet video! I loved the decorations on Barbaro's stall door.

We are clients of the UPenn Veterinary Hospital (our cat is a patient) and I know Barbaro is getting the best treatment possible from some of the best vets in the country.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I was so happy to see the updates. My mom emailed me one of the links yesterday because she knows how emotionally wrapped up I've become with Barbaro.
My brother went to the UPenn vet school, which included rotations at New Bolton, he has said nothing but praises about Dr. Richardson and the staff there.
I wonder how long until Disney comes out with a movie about all of this?!

Still sending lots of love, prayers and pixie dust to everyone at New Bolton...especiall Barbaro!!!

 

[Jennasis]

Just chiming in with my horse trainer's hat on:

1. Laminitis has varying degrees of severity. We (my vet, my farrier, and my fellow trainers) all expected that he would founder (the commonly used term for Laminitis). Frankly we are surprised he has not colicked. I currently have one mare who foundered several years ago. Luckily it was caught EXTREMELY early and her degree of rotation was quite minimal. We must carefully manage her weight, her feed, and her workload to avoid antagonizing the condition, but she is rideable and in no pain. Depending on the degree of rotation that Barbaro's coffin bone is experiencing he may still be put down. Remember, Laminitis is NOT CUREABLE or REVERSABLE in any way. You can manage his level of comfort with medication and corrective shoeing (to a certain point) and he will require this maintenance for the rest of his life.

His chipper deamenor is a good things, but since he is still in a sling and not fully resting his weight on the broken leg, the foundered foot (or frankly any of this other feet which are now susceptible to founder as well) it will be very hard to tell how much pain he really is in. The only way to tell would be to discontinue his pain medication and then have him attempt to bear weight on his affected foot (which likely is more painful than the broken leg). This is not likely to happen for a while.

As far as wrapping all of the horses legs, it is standard procedure. To avoid putting uneven pressure on the tendons/joints/muscles, the same pair of legs must be wrapped with equal pressure. For example, if he broke his right front leg, then his left front leg must also be wrapped. Same for the hind (wrap one, then you must wrap both). In Barbaro's case I would imagine the standing bandages have also been applied to try to keep fluid from settling in his joints and casuing swelling (or stocking up as it is known).

He is FAR FAR FAR from out of the woods and even further from recovery. Luckily he has some of the finest vet care in the country and a generous owner with deep pockets. If you guys could see the bills for his treatment....

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Thanks for the update. I was thinking about Barbaro just the other day, and wondering how he was doing.

I am most struck by how docile and well-behaved he is, for a supposedly temperamental and high strung champion throughbred.

(And I LOVED the part where the vet's beeper goes off . . . I can SO relate!!!)

I would imagine they are still keeping him somewhat sedated. With all of the money they have wrapped up in his treatment they can't afford for him to be a normal rambunctious 3 year old stallion. The cost of his treatment must be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. He's lucky he has such kind and generous owners.

 

[Deb in IA]

Latest Update:

His cast is OFF!!!! And no further signs of laminitis in the left hind hoof either!!

Derby Winner Barbaro Has Cast Removed
Cast on Barbaro's Leg Removed, Another Step in the Recovery Process for Kentucky Derby Winner

By ROB MAADDI AP Sports Writer

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. Nov 6, 2006 (AP)— Barbaro is walking freely, without a cast. Nearly six months after a horrifying accident at the Preakness, Barbaro had the cast removed from his lower right hind leg on Monday. The Kentucky Derby winner was in the cast since having surgery on May 21, a day after the second race of the Triple Crown series.

"He had a perfect pool recovery and immediately stood. He walked easily back to his stall," said Dean Richardson, chief surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. "He used all of his legs quite well."

Barbaro's left hind hoof, which was stricken with a severe case of laminitis, hasn't shown signs of any new problems.

"The hoof needs several more months of growth before we will know how much foot structure and function will be recovered," Richardson said.

During Monday's procedure, Barbaro's foot was trimmed and a new shoe was glued on it. A padded bandage with plastic and fiberglass splints was placed on his lower limb for support.

Barbaro suffered life-threatening injuries when he broke three bones above and below his right rear ankle at the start of the Preakness. The 3-year-old colt sustained a broken cannon bone above the ankle, a broken sesamoid bone behind the ankle and a broken long pastern bone below the ankle. The fetlock joint the ankle was dislocated.

Richardson said after performing surgery the pastern bone was shattered in "20-plus pieces."

Barbaro's right hind bones healed so well after surgery his cast could have been off months ago, if not for the laminitis in his other hind leg. The painful hoof disease prevented the cast from being removed sooner because the colt could not protect himself by bearing more weight on the left hind.

Barbaro's devastating injuries captured the attention of racing fans across the nation this summer. The outpouring of sympathy was overwhelming and daily updates on Barbaro's condition were provided by the medical staff at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals.


http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=2633181

 

[Melwood23]

Thanks for posting this, since the last report I had heard about the laminitis, I just didn't know if he had survived, was just too heart broken to find out. You just made my day