Set Back for Barbaro.

[Virgo10]

Looks like more prayers are needed for this wonderful animal.

Kentucky Derby winner being treated aggressively
Posted: Wednesday January 10, 2007 9:27AM; Updated: Wednesday January 10, 2007 9:58AM
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (AP) -- Barbaro has suffered a significant setback in his recovery from laminitis, with damaged tissue removed from the Kentucky Derby winner's left hind hoof.

Barbaro was being treated aggressively for his discomfort and is in stable condition, according to a statement released Wednesday morning by the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center.

The tissue was removed Tuesday night.

"Things were marching along pretty smoothly until this," Barbaro's co-owner Gretchen Jackson said. "We've been there before with him. He's a horse that wants to live."

The setback comes one week after a new cast was placed on Barbaro's laminitis-stricken left hind foot to help realign a bone.

It was the first dose of bad news after months of progress that included owners Gretchen and Roy Jackson and chief surgeon Dean Richardson talking about releasing Barbaro from the hospital as soon as the end of the month.

"It's sad that's he's had a setback because he was marching along toward living outside the hospital," Jackson said. "The only thing we care about is that he's not in pain."

Barbaro had become uncomfortable on his left hind foot and a cast was removed after some new separation on the inside portion of his hoof was found.

Barbaro shattered his right hind leg in the Preakness on May 20. In mid-July severe laminitis, a potentially fatal disease caused by uneven weight distribution in the limbs, resulted in 80 percent of Barbaro's left hind hoof being removed.

"I was there yesterday and it was obvious he was not comfortable in that foot," Jackson said. "The easiest and best way to work on Barbaro is when he's laying down. They had to wait until he was laying down and when they removed the cast, they discovered some reason for him feeling pain."

Just over a week ago, Richardson said Barbaro's right hind was getting stronger and should eventually be healthy enough to allow the colt to live a comfortable, happy life.

But he also warned: "Barbaro's left hind foot, which had laminitis, remains a more formidable long-term challenge. The foot must grow much more for him to have a truly successful outcome."

 

[CheshireVal]

Oh no.

 

[Deb in IA]

Oh no.


Best wishes for Barbaro, and all those who are working with him.

 

[hiwaygal]

This horse has been through so much in the past year.

His owners and doctors have done everything they can with Bobby's comfort and happiness in mind.

Bobby is a true champion, and I have no doubt he will pull through this and live a long and happy life of luxury.

He just needs to get over this hurdle!

 

[wdwgirl03]

No!!

 

[TheDoctor]

I have been impressed with the owners of this horse. It would have been an easy financial decision to put the horse down and take the insurance money. These owners love this horse and have done amazing things. I hope that Barbaro recovers.

 

[Pooh93]

I just read this online. I sure hope that he makes it. It would be so sad to have come this far, not to make it. for Barbaro!!!!

 

[PixiePop]

This horse has been through so much in the past year.

His owners and doctors have done everything they can with Bobby's comfort and happiness in mind.

Bobby is a true champion, and I have no doubt he will pull through this and live a long and happy life of luxury.

He just needs to get over this hurdle!

 

[LakeAriel]

My sister sent me a link about this..I thought he was out of the woods..All the best to him, indeed his owners have tried so hard. Barbaro has fought so hard to live..I think he will overcome this setback too...

 

[Hillbeans]

And I was just reading the paper over the weekend saying how well he was doing.

My hope for Barbaro is that on Kentucky Derby day 2007 he can come back to Churchill downs and march in front of all of the fans there. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Prayers for Barbaro.

 

[pisco]

I have been impressed with the owners of this horse. It would have been an easy financial decision to put the horse down and take the insurance money. These owners love this horse and have done amazing things. I hope that Barbaro recovers.

First off to TheDoctor, I don't want you to feel that this is an attack on you. I am only using your post as an example of what I think the common misconception of this situation is.

As a horse owner I am disgusted with what these people have done to the poor animal. Rather than do what was best for the animal and put him down, the have forced him to endure 8 months of pain and confinement to protect their investment in him. If this were a mare (who would never be able to carry a foal to term after an injury like this) or a gelding he would have been put down immediately. But since he is a colt (i.e. Stallion) the potential breeding fees for a Derby winner are enough for them to put the animal through all of this misery. Ultimately, I see this as a purely selfish financial decision.

I do truly hope for the best for the animal and hope against all common sense that he will be comfortable one day. But if there is any justice in the world the owners will never make penny off the horse.

 

[hiwaygal]

First off to TheDoctor, I don't want you to feel that this is an attack on you. I am only using your post as an example of what I think the common misconception of this situation is.

As a horse owner I am disgusted with what these people have done to the poor animal. Rather than do what was best for the animal and put him down, the have forced him to endure 8 months of pain and confinement to protect their investment in him. If this were a mare (who would never be able to carry a foal to term after an injury like this) or a gelding he would have been put down immediately. But since he is a colt (i.e. Stallion) the potential breeding fees for a Derby winner are enough for them to put the animal through all of this misery. Ultimately, I see this as a purely selfish financial decision.

I do truly hope for the best for the animal and hope against all common sense that he will be comfortable one day. But if there is any justice in the world the owners will never make penny off the horse.

I think the misconception is yours.

According to the veterinary staff at New Bolton, Barbaro has not "endured 8 months of pain". Confinement, yes, for his health. But he has shown no stress related to any of this. "Bobby" maintains his spirit and apetite.

There is still no proof that he will be able to breed. The owners do not even know if he is able to breed, there is a possibility that he is sterile. There is also the possibility that the injury Barbaro suffered could be related to an inherited problem which may end his breeding career. The Jacksons have said if that is the case, then Barbaro will just live his out the rest of his life on a farm.

I'm not a horse owner. But I love horses. I do, however, own dogs. And if one of my dogs ever had a "life threatening" accident, I would do everything I was financially able to do to save my dog (especially if he/she was as young as Barbaro). The Jacksons have the means to make sure everything is done to keep this brave, wonderful animal alive.

I encourage you to read some of the things Dr. Dean Richardson has said ALL ALONG about the treatment Barbaro has received and the primary concern of all involved before you pass judgement on a family that is obviously doing more for the care and well being of their animals than many others in the horse racing business.

Penn Veterinary Information on Barbaro

 

[paigevz]

ITA.

He's very young, it was a possibility of a great outcome, the injury and the other condition have been managed well, and it seems as if he's been pain managed well.

Why kill him if he can be healed?

 

[Jennasis]

Laminitis is one tough cookie. Those of you who do not own horses and are unfamiliar with it...it is an insanely PAINFUL condition wherein the laminae (tissue) connecting the hoofwall to the rest of the foot become inflamed and seperate from the hoofwall. There are ways to treat it if it is caught early, but often enough it is so severe that the pain cannot be alleviated and the effects cannot be mitigated. Of the 18 horses in my barn right now I have one mare who foundered (the "shop" term for laminitis) a few years ago. Luckily it was caught very early and the damage was minimal. With correct hoof trimming and shoeing and the proper diet she is quite comfortable (but it ended her career as both a jumper and a broodmare).

I have been concerned all along, not for the recovery of the broken leg but for the health of the other 3 legs which are prone to founder/laminitis from the uneven weight distribution as well as colic. It is not regular procedure to cast a foundered foot or to even fix it surgically. The fact that these two things were done lead me to believe that it is a very severe case of laminitis. I wish Barbaro the best and hope the family does what is best for him.

If I had a ton of money I would do everything I could to save my horses provided they would live 100% pain free and comfortable afterwards.

 

[hiwaygal]

Laminitis is one tough cookie. Those of you who do not own horses and are unfamiliar with it...it is an insanely PAINFUL condition wherein the laminae (tissue) connecting the hoofwall to the rest of the foot become inflamed and seperate from the hoofwall. There are ways to treat it if it is caught early, but often enough it is so severe that the pain cannot be alleviated and the effects cannot be mitigated. Of the 18 horses in my barn right now I have one mare who foundered (the "shop" term for laminitis) a few years ago. Luckily it was caught very early and the damage was minimal. With correct hoof trimming and shoeing and the proper diet she is quite comfortable (but it ended her career as both a jumper and a broodmare).

I have been concerned all along, not for the recovery of the broken leg but for the health of the other 3 legs which are prone to founder/laminitis from the uneven weight distribution as well as colic. It is not regular procedure to cast a foundered foot or to even fix it surgically. The fact that these two things were done lead me to believe that it is a very severe case of laminitis. I wish Barbaro the best and hope the family does what is best for him.

If I had a ton of money I would do everything I could to save my horses provided they would live 100% pain free and comfortable afterwards.

Perhaps you can answer a question for me...

I have learned so much about laminitis from reading lots of reports from Dr. Richardson, but obviously, I'm not an expert or anything.

My understanding (based on statements from New Bolton) is that they have not done anything "experimental" or "non-standard" in Barbaro's treatment.

What I hope you know is, what IS considered standard treatment for laminitis?

 

[Deb in IA]

I haven't seen any evidence of "8 months of pain" either.


I know that Dr. Richardson has always stressed that as long as Barbaro was not in distress, that he was eating well, and acting normally, they would continue his treatments. He said that if any of those things changed, they would obviously look very hard at letting him go.

And I know that Barbaro's owners have said the same as well.

 

[pisco]

ITA.

He's very young, it was a possibility of a great outcome, the injury and the other condition have been managed well, and it seems as if he's been pain managed well.

Why kill him if he can be healed?

I don't think he can be healed. It is too much to ask a leg that badly damaged to support his weight. If the bones haven't knitted well enough in 8 months I don't think they ever will.

I had a mare sustain a very similar injury and it was the opinion of my vets (one of who is an expert in lameness and leg injuries) that euthanasia was the only humane option. It certainly was not the choice I wanted to make but I was not willing to let the animal suffer for my benefit.

I think the misconception is yours.

According to the veterinary staff at New Bolton, Barbaro has not "endured 8 months of pain". Confinement, yes, for his health. But he has shown no stress related to any of this. "Bobby" maintains his spirit and apetite.

There is still no proof that he will be able to breed. The owners do not even know if he is able to breed, there is a possibility that he is sterile. There is also the possibility that the injury Barbaro suffered could be related to an inherited problem which may end his breeding career. The Jacksons have said if that is the case, then Barbaro will just live his out the rest of his life on a farm.

I'm not a horse owner. But I love horses. I do, however, own dogs. And if one of my dogs ever had a "life threatening" accident, I would do everything I was financially able to do to save my dog (especially if he/she was as young as Barbaro). The Jacksons have the means to make sure everything is done to keep this brave, wonderful animal alive.

I encourage you to read some of the things Dr. Dean Richardson has said ALL ALONG about the treatment Barbaro has received and the primary concern of all involved before you pass judgement on a family that is obviously doing more for the care and well being of their animals than many others in the horse racing business.

Penn Veterinary Information on Barbaro

Laminitis is a very serious condition, one with a poor prognosis in the best of circumstances. It can be caused by a number of things but stress is a major contributor. However, in this case I believe that it was caused by the horse shifting the weight off of the bad leg to the good leg.

As Jennasis said

laminae (tissue) connecting the hoofwall to the rest of the foot become inflamed and seperate from the hoofwall

It would be sort of like having a fingernail slowly pulled away from your finger over a period of time. For it to become serious enough for a large portion of the hoof to be removed suggests that the horse is in a great deal of pain. And for this to have come from the horse favoring one leg over the other suggests, at the very least, enough discomfort to force him in to the unbalanced stance for a long period of time.

I sincerely do hope that the horse recovers and that I am wrong about the motivation of the owners. But I see nothing to suggest that they ever put the animal's best interests first.

 

[hiwaygal]

Barbaro comfortable overnight


January 12, 2007
KENNETT SQUARE, PA — According to his medical team, Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro rested comfortably overnight. “We do not believe that this setback puts him all the way back to where he was in July,” said Dr. Dean W. Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “He has much more healthy tissue on the bottom of the left foot than he had at that time. He spends part of each day in his sling, and he is eating well and acting bright.”

The colt’s right hind leg, injured at the Preakness on May 20, 2006, is also being closely monitored. “We have a solid column of bone to work with in the right hind limb,” said Dr. Richardson. “There are no signs of infection in either limb at this time. It is very disappointing to have him go through this setback, but we will continue to try to keep him comfortable and assist his healing with reasonable and humane measures.”

Barbaro remains in the Intensive Care Unit of Penn’s George D. Widener Hospital at New Bolton Center.

The next update will be posted on Tuesday, January 16, unless there is a significant change in Barbaro’s condition.

 

[hiwaygal]

I don't think he can be healed. It is too much to ask a leg that badly damaged to support his weight. If the bones haven't knitted well enough in 8 months I don't think they ever will.

The leg that was broken HAS healed, quite nicely.

I'm sorry your horse was not able to be treated. But, one of the reasons Barbaros fractures COULD be healed was because the skin was not broken. This prevented infection and gave a glimmer of hope.

I have no doubt that had this accident occured to almost anyone else, Barbaro would no longer be fighting for anything. Thankfully, the Jacksons had the means to at least try.

Laminitis is a very serious condition, one with a poor prognosis in the best of circumstances. It can be caused by a number of things but stress is a major contributor. However, in this case I believe that it was caused by the horse shifting the weight off of the bad leg to the good leg.

That is probably true...but again, it is HUMANELY treatable. It no longer has to be a death sentence.

While I don't own a horse, nor am I a veterinarian. I AM a reasonably intelligent individual who can read scholarly articles on laminitis. I can read what the veterinarians and the owners are saying (from various sources).

I admire the commitment EVERYONE on the "team" has to this horse, his care and his life.

I find it funny how many will do everything in their power to keep a dying loved one alive, but think nothing of killing a beloved animal. Something is wrong ON BOTH SIDES of that issue.

 

[paigevz]

I don't think he can be healed. It is too much to ask a leg that badly damaged to support his weight. If the bones haven't knitted well enough in 8 months I don't think they ever will.

I had a mare sustain a very similar injury and it was the opinion of my vets (one of who is an expert in lameness and leg injuries) that euthanasia was the only humane option. It certainly was not the choice I wanted to make but I was not willing to let the animal suffer for my benefit.


But I see nothing to suggest that they ever put the animal's best interests first.

I am sorry for the loss of your animal. However, these vets I am quite sure have as much expertise as yours. These people have gone through so much trying to treat him, I doubt they'd use anything less than the absolute best they could find.

And I would submit that YOU were not making the animal suffer, just as these owners are not. The animal's INJURIES and CONDITIONS are what make it suffer.

I see nothing to suggest that they have not done everything in their power to save their horse AND make him as comfortable and well as they can.