Anyone have a ballpark of where the vet bill is at? And is insurance covering any it?
No Armchair Here!
I agree with Caffeinated as well.
I watched the press conference and Dean looks absolutely exhausted. He was very emotional and is obviously having a very difficult time with this situation. A person that is this emotional about an animal that is not his own really moves me. Obviously the surgery was a success, and this catasprophe was originally forecasted by him. He spoke of the special spirit of this horse and the fact that as soon as he was suffering he would be put down.
Hoof resections are not uncommon. I know of 2 horses who had them for White Line disease. So, yes, it sounds extreme, but at the same time, they are doing what they can to save him.
When I watched this vet talk, I knew that he would keep trying, but would also advise he be put down when it was tBarbaro’s time. We all know what our horses’ time would be. Let’s give his owners the faith to make this decision as well. Shame on all of you sitting on your perch condemning those who are trying their best. Grab a slice of reality and eat it slowly so that it sinks in…
I’m glad/impressed/amazed he made it this far. 99.99% of other horses in this predicament would have been put down on the track that day. Barbaro has been allowed to amaze the world and defy any doubt thus far. We can only hope and pray he has it in him to overcome the odds again.
The only armchair quarterbacking I will do, because this complication is devastating and somewhat expected, is to ask why they didn’t put Bobby in a pool to get the weight off his hind legs. Water is the only thing on earth that I know that will defy gravity for something immersed in enough of it. Surely water would have avoided the laminitis.
I love this horse, and the situation is truly grim. 
hope you all realize I was referring to Pawsplus post…
"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 was also saying that I dont think anyone is doing a crap job of anything. I am a 100% supporter of the people involved as I think they are truly working their butts of and taking a LOT of heat for their decisions, but they are the only ones who have the knowledge of this horse to make them. I agree the most remarkable quality of this horse is his heart- not even his speed or athletic ability. MANY other horses would have destroyed themselves by now. He is taking it all in stride and is obviously not only a very well trained horse with credit to his handlers, but also a very intelligent animal.
I believe that post said that
“I don’t believe the people surrounding him are doing a crap job”
Continued thanks for your updates, VB. They are so very much appreciated. I continue to keep Barbaro in my prayers, and to continue to ask for wisdom and strength for his medical team and family. This is undoubtedly a hearbreaking time for those who love this colt and all of the experts who work 'round the clock to care for him.
It is not a time for passing harsh judgement, so let us continue to offer wishes and peace to those in Barbaro’s inner circle. This BB is so good at support. Let’s continue to jingle and jingle for Barbaro and his family and give thanks for all that we have.
nevermind…
Once I finally realized all I had to do was turn up the volume on my computer speakers, I watched and listened and was very impressed by Dr. Richardson.
He made it clear that he/they did consult with laminitis experts about how to approach this new problem. I don’t think he’s afraid to talk to his colleagues at other universities or in private practice to help try to do what’s right for this horse every step of the way.
As far as insurance, there’s no way any insurance policy covers all of this. The Jackson’s have in the past spent large amounts of money when their horses are sick or injured and that’s most likely what they are doing now. Using insurance for what is covered and then paying for the rest themselves.
The Jacksons and Michael Matz have visited this horse every day. I for one feel confident that they and Dr. Richardson are doing and will continue to do what’s right for Barbaro.
Hoping he makes it through this!
I ran across this on another board, posted by a vet student:
"I have info that may or may not be beneficial to Barbaro and this point - but it is something that I feel Dr. Richardson and the others caring for him should at least be aware of. I know of a vet who literally performed miracles with a horse I used to know … who suffered from chronic laminitis for over a year! She is alive and well today thanks to this vet. Obviously I have know way of knowing how similar her case was to Barbaro since we know very little as far as details go - but it is still something I feel those caring for him have a right to explore (if they already haven’t done so)! It has to do with a hyperbaric chamber…"
I assume that the people at New Bolton have gotten tons of advice, theories, etc, especially since they are consulting with laminitis experts, but I’m wondering if this one’s come up?
Also just curious if anyone has heard of this sort of treatment for laminitis before?
There is no way we can second guess these fine people who are taking care of Barbaro. Nor should we. To think that you or I have the right or the knowledge to know what is best for him is just plain silly.
Many years ago I had a horse with a broken leg. The break was a clean one and the vet thought that surgery was a viable option. A cast was put on and we were trying to stabilize him so we could get him to UC Davis for surgery; it was obvious the horse was in excrutiating pain.
He “folded up” in the middle -front legs back and hind legs forward to try to center his weight in the middle of his body. His major muscle groups were twitching from this effort and he was sweating profusely. His eyes were dull and he was not reacting to his surroundings.
This was despite all of the pain killers that the vet dared to IV into him. The vet gave him one hour to see if the pain killers would alleviate his pain enough to allow him to make the trip – When the horse’ pain did not lessen significantly, he was humanely euthanized.
My reason for repeating this horrible story is to impress upon people what a horse in true pain looks like. I sat there for 60 minutes and, internally, screamed and prayed for this horse to come around so he could make the 90 minute trip – surgeons were standing by to operate. But it was not to be.
In comparison, Dr. Richardson says that Barbaro is eating and drinking and walking around. He is aware of his surroundings and seems to be a happy, normal horse at this point.
He is NOT ready to be euthanized. He may hurt – so does any lame horse. But to say he is in such pain that he should no longer live is overstating the case.
I choose to believe Dr. Richardson and Barbaro’s connections. They will do right by him. Dr. Richardson is my hero.
In the meantime I am praying through my tears for him, as I know we all are.
Thanks again to VB for your updates.
Continuing jingles for Barbaro and his extended family.
A crap job? Wow, that’s a completely different perspective from mine.
Everyone involved has gone to extreme lengths to help this horse. He was there for them in May, now they are moving mountains for him. Animals have an uncanny knack for letting people know when it’s their time to leave us. If Barbaro is nickering and eating well, he’s still in the game. He’s still fighting! And if he’s fighting, there is a chance he can pull through. It’s refreshing to find owners who have said cost be damned, let’s help our horse and give him that chance.
Now he just needs to hang in there and let the meds and nature help him. C’mon Barbaro, beat the odds!!
So pawsplus…
Are you saying they should just give up and put him down? I think THAT would be doing a crap job, if anything. This horse has given so much heart in anything and everything he has put himself up to. He has given the American Public so much to hope and dream for. If Barbaro is eating, walking around with his head still held high and his ears pricked, he is doing JUST fine. Granted there is pain in any injury as severe as his, but thats part of it. The Jackson’s, Michael Matz, and DR Richardson would never put Barbaro’s happiness and welfare at risk. I know they woldn’t. Most people wouldn’t even have given this horse the chance that he has. Its like your saying that if someone has cancer, they should just not take all precautions, should not do everything they can to save this persons life. What if your in a car accident and near dead…are you saying they should just let you die because your that close already? OR…at least give you the best shot at making it that they can. The horse is doing fine in the happiness department, He’s eating and he has no temperature, and he’s walking around his stall. Minimal movement at this point in time is the best thing for him. My pony was very sick due to ulcers a few years ago, not even TUFTS university could figure out that he had them…yes i know it was kind of sad. The pony would not eat, would not drink, and you could telll immediately by looking at his face and his expression that he was not happy anymore, he was depressed and hurting. If Barbaro is up, perky, walking, passing manure, no temp…i say we do all we can for this horse. He’s made it this far…and as long as he is happy…give him a chance
link to the full teleconference
http://cbs3.com/video/?id=28330 There are three there, choose the Web Extra one.
Dean Richardson is the best there is on the surgical side. He cares about his patients. Neither he nor the Jacksons will let Barbaro suffer needless pain. All we can do now is pray, trust the horse to let us know if he wants to go, and trust his humans to follow his wishes. Laminitis was the most feared complication all along. I have seen horses with resections who are alive today. Ultimately it will depend on Bobby’s will to live. Kathy Anderson saw him yesterday and said he was comfortable. That’s the most we can hope for now – that and Bobby’s tremendous will to live.
I can only assume you didn’t listen to Dr. Richardson or maybe your TV cut out at all the important moments?
I suspect they are a wee bit more sophisticated about pain management than sticking the NSAIDs to him and just accidently forgetting the gastroguard. I know the cox II inhibitors are not associated with gastric distress to the same extent, and I don’t believe opiates cause GI issues like NSAIDS.
And since the vet specifically said he can
a) get up and down,
b) walk around his stall,
c) does not have an elevated heart rate,
d) an excellent appetite,
e) is alert and appears comfortable, and
f) is not “reliant” on the sling when he is in it
I’d have to say that as of this moment the pain management is effective and not adverse to his health. Oh yea, and probably doesn’t fit the definition of a “crap job of it” except in some alternate universe where horses don’t have laminae.
Dr. Richardson could not have been clearer that Managing Pain Succesfully is their benchmark for his continued treatment.
DMK, as usual, I salute you for your cogent redux!! :yes:
Most of the pain meds are being administered via IV. They aren’t jamming Percoset down his throat.
And I think perked ears, clear eyes and nickers are a sign that he wants to live.
To clarify: I was not saying that there was anything wrong w/ the actual treatment of the injury. Not so sure about the special shoe on the LH, but not really going there. My POINT was, in response to the person who said they wouldn’t want someone giving up if it were them, that the people in charge here need to face reality and stop putting him through a science experiment.
ERGO: I am saying that the humans in charge are doing a “crap job” of making life and death decisions, NOT of caring for him per se. That was the point of the post, if you go back and look. <where is the rolly eyes emoticon???>
Hoof resections are not uncommon. I know of 2 horses who had them for White Line disease. So, yes, it sounds extreme, but at the same time, they are doing what they can to save him.
True, they are not uncommon. We’ll leave aside my opinion of them in general, and simply address the fact that in this case, it is not ONLY a hoof resection of an alarming % of the hoof, but ALSO the almost complete rebuilding of the OTHER hind leg. Come on. Be realistic!
I’m as upset as the next person. I lived through the Ruffian thing, which many of you were too young to be around for, and it was traumatizing. However, there are thousands of TBs every year who break down thanks to the racing industry and most don’t receive 1/100 of the care Barbaro has received. That doesn’t make him unworthy of this level of care, but it does bear thinking about, no?
