that foot is cast as well. Although it’s not the same as a hoof wall it helps.
I’m just gutted over this. 
Devestating. Trying to be positive, but it may also be time to be realistic 
Well said! It’s true, their strength and grace are a gift from God, lets hope he gives Bobby the spirit and fight to stay here with us.
Per Dr. R. in the press conference, he is now in a foot cast on the RH in addition to the cast on the LH. Moreover, they are providing him additional support with a sling. Dr. R. tried to make it as clear as he could that B. is not RELYING on the sling and is not “just dangling there” - the sling is there to provide him some additional support if he needs it. He can still move around, lie down, and so on. You are correct as to what hoof resectioning means. Except that the 80% of the hoof wall on the “good” hoof that was removed was no longer connected to the coffin bone. In other words, they got rid of the dead outer wall.
Updated article from the bloodhorse:
Laminitis Strikes Barbaro; Survival Chances Called ‘Poor’
Classic winner Barbaro has developed “acute, severe” laminitis in his uninjured left, hind foot, and his prognosis for recovery is “poor,” according to Dr. Dean Richardson, chief of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa.
Speaking at a press conference Thursday morning, Dr. Richardson stated that Barbaro’s laminitis is “as bad a case as you can get.” In a resection procedure done a few nights earlier, a large portion of Barbaro’s hoof wall was removed, and just 20% of the wall is still attached to the coffin bone, according to Richardson. His left hind leg is in a foam cast presently as they try to re-grow the hoof wall.
Barbaro suffered major complications a week ago and has undergone three surgical procedures during that time. Last Saturday, Dr. Richardson replaced the titanium plate and 27 screws and treated two infections–one in the injured right hind leg and a small abscess on the sole of his left hind hoof. Barbaro shattered his right hind leg at the beginning of the May 20 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), and underwent surgery the following day at New Bolton.
Dr. Richardson said the Thursday press conference was called because of the great concern, speculation, and interest in Barbaro. He dismissed rumors of impending euthanasia, but added that the horse’s prognosis had been diminished.
According to Richardson, Barbaro has stability in his right rear leg, and that injury is under “reasonable control. But the big problem is a catastrophic case of laminitis in his left hind. With laminitis, the connection between the bone and hoof separates, and that can be excruciatingly painful, like re-growing a nail in humans after it’s been pulled out. Horses do recover from this but it’s a longshot. I’m not going to sugarcoat the situation. It is a poor percentage for horses to recover, but as long as he’s not suffering we will continue to try.”
Richardson said recovery, if it occurs, would take many months. For now, Barbaro appears comfortable enough. “He nickers, he’s eating well, he has excellent G.I. function, his temperature is normal, his heart rate is good, and he is capable of walking around his stall,” said Dr. Richardson. “His owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, and his trainer, Michael Matz, visit him daily, and the Jacksons’ absolute concern–their only concern–is for the comfort of the horse on a daily basis. We will go on as long as the horse acts normally.”
Barbaro is in a sling for portions of each day to aid in his mobility. He is also undergoing what Richardson termed “an aggressive pain management regimen.”
This is just WRONG. I can’t read these things anymore. I’m glad they tried, but this is taking it way too far. They need to let him go now.
been checking the sites, can’t get the video on NBC10 to play but MSNBC and ESPN both say 20% of the hoof was removed here it’s posted that 20% left anyone able to get to the video and see which it is?
I was pretty sure they said 20% LEFT…unfortunately. wish it was the other way around.
I feel sad saying this as we have used New Bolton, both field service and in hospital, for our horses until recently (over a period of about 14 years, about 20 - 25 different horses): New Bolton is, unfortunately, NOT the best at treating laminitis, as we have learned by sad, hard, personal experience. Our filly has required 6 months (so far) of hospitalization at another hospital in order to have a chance of survival. She is living at Serenity Equine in Virginia, after New Bolton’s only option was “put her down”. I wish, at the first sign of laminitis, they had consulted with some of the experts in this field. (Hopefully, they did, although I have my doubts). I am very sad for Barbaro & I am sending him the strongest healing thoughts I can muster.
from www.msnbc.com - this is distressing…hope the reporter misquoted since I didn’t see the news conference:
“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.”
If not, Barbaro could be euthanized at any time. Richardson said if Barbaro does not respond quickly to treatment, “It could happen within 24 hours.”
I’m with you Paws. On top of everything else this horse has endured – it’s too much.
Jingling for no more pain for Barbaro.
I watched the interview as it was being broadcast. He did say 80% of the hoof was resected. He also said that they had gotten plenty of unsolicted advice about how to treat Barbaro and they had consulted experts in the field (of treatment laminitis).
I think somone posted a few pages back that there is going to be a re-broadcast of the interview later today maybe with some additional information???
eggbutt, Dr. Richardson did say, “I’d be lying if I said anything other than poor,”
I am waiting for Tim’s update and will post it just as soon as I can.
Eggbutt, That is indeed what was said. The reporter is not mistaken. Its so sad, still jingling for Barbaro, but it seems like his body is betraying his mind.
Yes, at 1pm on ESPN News.
Yes, at 1pm on ESPN News.
Hoof loss is 20% according to MSNBC
The transcript posted said he’d lost 20%…that’s a lot more optimistic than 80% although none of this news is good. It’s so sad how fragile these big trusting creatures really are. Jingles to you big horse.
Nancy
Nothing constructive to add, I am just so sad and feel the need to join in the good thoughts and prayers for Barbaro. These horses give us so much, and we are just lucky to be a part of them.
Jingles and prayers.
Here’s the latest update on ESPN, let’s hope it is correct on the 20%…
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. – Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro has developed a severe case of laminitis, a potentially fatal disease brought on by uneven weight distribution in the limbs, and his veterinarian called his chances of survival “a long shot.”
Dean Richardson, the chief surgeon who has been treating Barbaro since the colt suffered catastrophic injuries in the Preakness on May 20, said the Derby winner's chances of survival are 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."
If not, Barbaro could be euthanized at any time. Richardson said if Barbaro does not respond quickly to treatment, "It could happen within 24 hours."
Richardson said the laminitis nearly has destroyed the colt's hoof on his uninjured left hind leg. Laminitis, a painful condition, developed in the past few days. The disease turned more serious in the past day.
"The left hind is basically as bad laminitis as you can have," Richardson said, adding that horses have recovered from laminitis. He said he has discussed the situation closely with owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson.
Richardson said Barbaro's injured right hind leg -- the one that shattered at the start of the Preakness -- is healing well, but because a horse has to be evenly balanced, laminitis set in on the other foot.
"[B]We removed a large portion of his (left) foot wall, probably 20 percent of it,[/B]" Richardson said. "He's in a foot cast with foam padding and antiseptic dressing. We'll see if can regrow his hoof. It will take months and months."
The grim update came after nearly six weeks of a smooth recovery. Barbaro had hours of surgery on May 21 to insert a titanium plate and 27 screws into three broken bones and the pastern joint, and has had two other operations in recent days.
"I really thought we were going to make it two weeks ago," Richardson said. "Today I'm not as confident."20% left according to the Dr in the press conference I’m listening to. :no:
