KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. - Barbaro had another “very good night” and remained in stable condition Saturday, a second day of positive news for the Kentucky Derby winner being treated for an often fatal condition in his left hind leg.
“His heart rate and pulse are normal, and his appetite is good,” Dr. Dean Richardson said in a statement issued by the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center.
“He continues to respond well, looks good and has a positive attitude.”
Barbaro, who shattered his right hind leg a few yards out of the starting gate in the Preakness on May 20, has a severe case of laminitis in his “good” left hind leg and his chances of survival were called “poor” by Richardson on Thursday.
“We continue to monitor him very closely, and we are keeping him as comfortable as possible,” Richardson said.
On Friday, Barbaro was given a walk in the intensive care unit by Richardson, and jockey Edgar Prado said the colt “looked much better than I thought he would” following a 2.5-hour visit.
“I fed him, walked with him and he put his head on my shoulder and fell asleep,” Prado said.
For the first time in more than a week, there was hope at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at New Bolton.
The mood swing came a day after Richardson delivered the grim news that Barbaro had laminitis, 80 percent of his left hoof wall had been removed and his chance of survival was a “long shot.”
Barbaro's prognosis went from guarded to stable Friday, with Richardson saying the 3-year-old colt's vital signs, including heart rate and pulse, remained good.
“We are treating his laminitis aggressively, and he continues to respond well and is acceptably comfortable,” Richardson said. “Our goal is to keep him as comfortable as possible, and clearly that comfort level will be a major indicator for our treatment decisions.”
The nugget of good news followed more than a week of distressful updates: surgeries and cast changes on Barbaro's injured right hind leg - the one that sustained three broken bones in a horrific misstep shortly after he left the gate at the Preakness. And then, the onset of dreaded laminitis.
The colt, who has fiberglass casts on both hind legs, also has been fitted with a sling to prevent sudden movements. Laminitis is usually caused by uneven weight distribution in the limbs.
While his condition is stable, Richardson said “it remains extremely serious.”
“We monitor his condition very closely because signs can change quickly,” he added.
Prado, credited with saving Barbaro's life by pulling him up quickly after the colt broke down in the first few yards of the Preakness, called it a “very bad situation” before adding: “But he has the will to overcome this.”
Rick Arthur, a prominent veterinarian on the California thoroughbred circuit, said Barbaro's upgraded condition offers “a ray of hope.”
“When a horse has laminitis, the downs come very quickly and very dramatically, it's almost like going on a cascade,” Arthur said. “When you get in cases like this, you are looking for hope. You are looking for anything that can give you an indication that you have a chance to move forward.”
Dr. Larry Bramlage, another noted veterinarian, agreed: “It's a good sign because they've got the pain under control.”
Barbaro was transported to New Bolton Center directly from Pimlico Race Course and the next day, Richardson inserted a titanium plate and 27 screws into the colt's injured leg to help fuse the fetlock (ankle) joint.
Since that time, Richardson has said laminitis was a major concern. The disease tends to show up about six to eight weeks after a serious leg injury, when a horse has spent a great deal of time trying to balance his 1,000-pound frame on four fragile legs.
While doctors continue treating Barbaro, Richardson and owners Gretchen and Roy Jackson also must be prepared to decide when and if it's unreasonable to try to save him.
It's a decision, Arthur said, he's sure Richardson has been wrestling with for weeks. Unlike doctors who treat humans, veterinarians make quality-of-life decisions all the time.
“All of us, when we are dealing with these cases, say, 'Should I pursue this case further?”' Arthur said. You don't want to talk euthanasia, but it's a decision that we ultimately make, whether it's taking care of racehorses or dogs or cats.“
“He continues to respond well, looks good and has a positive attitude.”
Barbaro, who shattered his right hind leg a few yards out of the starting gate in the Preakness on May 20, has a severe case of laminitis in his “good” left hind leg and his chances of survival were called “poor” by Richardson on Thursday.
“We continue to monitor him very closely, and we are keeping him as comfortable as possible,” Richardson said.
On Friday, Barbaro was given a walk in the intensive care unit by Richardson, and jockey Edgar Prado said the colt “looked much better than I thought he would” following a 2.5-hour visit.
“I fed him, walked with him and he put his head on my shoulder and fell asleep,” Prado said.
For the first time in more than a week, there was hope at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at New Bolton.
The mood swing came a day after Richardson delivered the grim news that Barbaro had laminitis, 80 percent of his left hoof wall had been removed and his chance of survival was a “long shot.”
Barbaro's prognosis went from guarded to stable Friday, with Richardson saying the 3-year-old colt's vital signs, including heart rate and pulse, remained good.
“We are treating his laminitis aggressively, and he continues to respond well and is acceptably comfortable,” Richardson said. “Our goal is to keep him as comfortable as possible, and clearly that comfort level will be a major indicator for our treatment decisions.”
The nugget of good news followed more than a week of distressful updates: surgeries and cast changes on Barbaro's injured right hind leg - the one that sustained three broken bones in a horrific misstep shortly after he left the gate at the Preakness. And then, the onset of dreaded laminitis.
The colt, who has fiberglass casts on both hind legs, also has been fitted with a sling to prevent sudden movements. Laminitis is usually caused by uneven weight distribution in the limbs.
While his condition is stable, Richardson said “it remains extremely serious.”
“We monitor his condition very closely because signs can change quickly,” he added.
Prado, credited with saving Barbaro's life by pulling him up quickly after the colt broke down in the first few yards of the Preakness, called it a “very bad situation” before adding: “But he has the will to overcome this.”
Rick Arthur, a prominent veterinarian on the California thoroughbred circuit, said Barbaro's upgraded condition offers “a ray of hope.”
“When a horse has laminitis, the downs come very quickly and very dramatically, it's almost like going on a cascade,” Arthur said. “When you get in cases like this, you are looking for hope. You are looking for anything that can give you an indication that you have a chance to move forward.”
Dr. Larry Bramlage, another noted veterinarian, agreed: “It's a good sign because they've got the pain under control.”
Barbaro was transported to New Bolton Center directly from Pimlico Race Course and the next day, Richardson inserted a titanium plate and 27 screws into the colt's injured leg to help fuse the fetlock (ankle) joint.
Since that time, Richardson has said laminitis was a major concern. The disease tends to show up about six to eight weeks after a serious leg injury, when a horse has spent a great deal of time trying to balance his 1,000-pound frame on four fragile legs.
While doctors continue treating Barbaro, Richardson and owners Gretchen and Roy Jackson also must be prepared to decide when and if it's unreasonable to try to save him.
It's a decision, Arthur said, he's sure Richardson has been wrestling with for weeks. Unlike doctors who treat humans, veterinarians make quality-of-life decisions all the time.
“All of us, when we are dealing with these cases, say, 'Should I pursue this case further?”' Arthur said. You don't want to talk euthanasia, but it's a decision that we ultimately make, whether it's taking care of racehorses or dogs or cats.“
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Ruth wrote on Jul 16, 2006 11:27 AM: