An interesting side-comment – anyone remember this?
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/0605/110.shtml
Intended to “prevent” laminitis? Several folks on the UDBB commented that it was more likely to CAUSE it, and here we are. <sigh>
I am happy to be wrong on this one… 
As long as he is not in extreem pain, I think they should keep fighting. I wouldn’t want someone giving up on me.
20% is what they removed.
He’s not in extreme pain b/c he’s hopped up on painkillers. Which, combined w/ no movement and probably less intake of forage, will lead to ulcers or colic.
You wouldn’t want someone giving up on you b/c you would understand the situation and be able to make a decision for yourself, having weighed the pros and the cons re: your Q of L. He can’t. That is the job of the humans caring for him, and IMHO they are doing a crap job of it.
I watched
the News Conference. Dr. Richardson said 80% of the hoof wall was removed. That leaves 20%, so the agencies reporting it the other way around have it wrong.
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 Wednesday, 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.
Large portion removed… 20% still attached.
From:
http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=34393
I fear Barbaro is not long for this world. I jingle on though…
Yep, 80% removed. ESPN simply has it wrong (not for the first time).
I disagree with Paws. They are in such a great position to keep the horse pain-free and give him his best shot at recovery. Watching the press conference I have NO impression that this horse’s care has been or will be anything but first-class. I have total faith that the owners and vets will know when it’s time to give up.
So keep jingling everybody!
There’s still hope
Barbaro is a fighter. Let’s pray he can come through this.
JINGLES!!
I had a mare that foundered. We used a product called Lamina Saver. It helped her foot heal. I’ts availalbe in Vet catalogs.
Virginia Bred, please pass this along along with love and admiration for all the professionals working on this case.
I’m sure the Jackson’s will do right by this horse. He will not suffer.
Thank you Tim:
Update 221: OK, just returned from the Press Conference. I waited to watch Jeannine Edwards do her ESPN 2 broadcast. You can see the conference at CBS3. A couple of links to reports: Barbaro has life-threatening inflammation in hind foot and Doctors Say Barbaro Has Catastrophic Injury. And here is Laminitis in Wikipedia. A few observations of my own:
Dr. Dean Richardson is a class act. I was thoroughly impressed with his forthright discussion on Bobby’s condition. He was clearly open, understanding of the media, and obviously upset with current circumstances. He and his team have worked incredibly hard, and this must be very tough for all of them at an emotional level.
Bobby is now a long shot to recover, but while there are still chances of recovery, and he is comfortable, they will keep trying. No one is yet giving up.
2 weeks ago Dr. Richardson really thought Bobby was going to make it.
Bobby now has a foot cast on the left hind, he also uses a sling from time to time. This sling is designed to help Bobby, it still allows him free movement.
The laminitis is catastrophic, and the onset of laminitis was very rapid.
Bobby looks good, he is eating well. He has a strong constitution.
The media asked good questions and were very respective of the situation (I was impressed).
Though part of me is in agreement, we have to remember- none of us are there. None of us know the horse personally. None of us can see directly whether or not he seems uncomfortable or in agony. None of us are looking into his eyes or checking his vital signs.
This is one of those things I can’t bring myself to armchair quarterback. I think this horse has been given every consideration and every chance, and I don’t believe that the fine people surrounding him are doing a crap job.
Everybody will have a different opinion, but I think the people who know him best and see him and can tell how he’s doing from more than a news story are the ones we have to trust with this. If he seems content, is happy to see people, and isn’t in agony, who am I to say they’re doing the wrong thing?
I know they won’t give up on him and I know that they have his best interest at heart. They will do what is best, but I know if they have to put him down, it will be a very very sad day for me.
Posted on AP 2 hours ago…
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. - Doctors treating Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro say he’s developed a life-threatening inflammation in his left-hind foot. They say it’s as bad a case of laminitis as a horse can get.
The inflammation was among the worst of the complications that veterinarians feared could happen, as they treated the horse for his severe injuries to his right-hind leg from the Preakness Stakes.
Doctor Dean Richardson says the horse’s chances of recovering are “poor.” But he says as long as Barbaro isn’t suffering, efforts to save his life will continue.
That poor horse. I can understand having tried to save him for breeding. But at what point does the horse become a science/research experiment? I only hope he is so doped up that he doesn’t feel anything.
wow- I think that is a BIT harsh to say they are doing a “crap” job. Its not your choice or your horse, so I think its not really fair to judge them. you arent there, you dont see the horse everyday- its very easy to critisize when you are outside of the situation.
OK guys!!! understand I was referrrnig to Pawsplus post on the previous page!!
I totally agree, let the people who see Barbaro every day and who care and probably love him more than anyone else make the decision of what is best for him. They are the one who do know- there is no right or wrong decision- no-one should judge them
[QUOTE=caffeinated]
This is one of those things I can’t bring myself to armchair quarterback. QUOTE]
I agree with caffeinated too. I’ve been in the racing and show world my entire life, and while I’ve seen some horrible, hopeless situations, I’m glad they tried. I was at Pimlico the day he broke down, and I will never forget the look on his face as the ambulance went by on the way back to the barn. It was surreal…not a look of panic, but rather one of ‘please help me.’ I know that sounds nuts, but I sat there in complete shock watching him. I will never forget it. I pray so hard that he’ll make it, and that his connections and doctors will have the where-with-all to do what is right by him. God bless them all. VirginiaBred - thank you so much for your updates - they are greatly appreciated.
I can’t imagine how putting a horse’s leg, broke in 20 places back together, is doing a “crap job”. i call that a miracle.
I really don’t know anyway they could have done it better.
One could not watch the press conference and look at Dean Richardson’s face, and not think that he is doing the very best he can for Barbaro, and his heart is breaking. So to say they are doing a “crap job” is just plain wrong. They want to save him not for any other reason but they have come to love the horse and his fighting spirit, and what vet could just give up on that? If they do have to put him down, I bet DR will shed the most tears. He has tried so hard to perfrom the miracle we all hope for.
