Update on Barbaro's Setback

[spindrifter]

As many of you know, Barbaro, the Kentucky Derby winner, recently had a setback to his recovery from laminitis, a condition that has proven disasterous to such great race horses as Secretariat. The New Bolton Center has been posting regular updates to the changes and the treatment Barbaro is currently receiving.
Here's hoping that this is indeed only a brief detour from full recovery.

http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/Barbaro_Update1-13.htm

Barbaro undergoes planned procedure


January 13, 2007
KENNETT SQUARE, PA — As previously planned, Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was placed under general anesthesia this morning to fully examine his left hind foot. “While his condition was unchanged over the last two days, we were unable to fully assess his left hind foot with him in his stall,” said Dr. Dean W. Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “In today’s procedure, another area of undermined hoof wall was removed. The left hind deep digital flexor tendon was cut to help decrease the pull on the coffin bone by that tendon. This was previously done in July, but the tendon had healed and was pulling on the coffin bone, contributing to the malalignment of the coffin bone. Because he has been more uncomfortable on his left hind, we put a cast back on the right hind lower limb for additional support. ”

Dr. Richardson reports that “Barbaro was awoken from anesthesia once more in the recovery-pool and had an uneventful recovery. He continues to receive intensive management for his discomfort on the left hind foot.”

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.

[KT2000]

1. Thanks for posting this n/t

[Kajsa]

2. Thanks for keeping us posted on Barbaro.

He is a magnificent horse, and I wish him the best
for a speedy, full recovery.

Please keep up the good work. ;-)
I look forward to Tuesday's update.

:hi:

[brook]

3. I thank you as well.

Hoping for good news on Tuesday for the magnificent Barbaro.

[kestrel91316]

4. I am once again amazed at and proud of how well my colleagues

at Penn are doing on this horse. This is the case of a lifetime for them, and it can't be easy doing the work OR coping with the pressure.

[Corgigal]

8. Not only that

but this hot blooded horse is working with them. It might be possible that Barbaro understands more then we give horses credit for. You can have the best team in the world but if the patient is self destructive, nothing will work.

I hope for everyone's sake he makes it.

[caligirl]

5. thanks, maybe vet medicine gains something from all this effort.

[Southsideirish]

6. I would like to see a "non-western medicine" healer brought in at this point.

I think they have gone as far as they can with this magnificent animal and 'would like to see what other realms in medicine can do. It would be a terrible shame for him not to be exposed to all that can be offered.

[Justpat]

7. The leading equine acupuncturist in the country is Dr. Marvin Cain.

Everyone else who practices equine acupuncture has studied under
him. He is the guru in our business as far as this goes.

But I don't know if the Medical Center would be open to it. I know
that Michael Matz has used Dr. Cain in the past but those decisions
are not his to make right now.

I am not sure if it would do anything but alleviate pain at this
point.

But I am one of those who would give it try. We have had
remarkable success with acupuncture with lots of different things.