Barbaro Updates: 188
updates are now here.
Update 1396: A quick summary of Jeannine's interview on ESPN News. She explained the current situation as per the press release from New Bolton. She noted that a vet acqaintance confirmed the procedure to add the "stabalizer" is not unusual / not unheard of. It is a last resort attempt to stabalize the situation and keep him comfortable. She stated the current prognosis is not good, very very serious. She had just got off the phone with Michael Matz. Michael was very down and very subdued. Michael's comment (paraphrased): "How many times can a boxer take a punch and get back up". She was unable to contact the Jackson's, and presumed they are devastasted.
Jeannine did mention this site and the support you as "an amazing group of people" are providing.
I will not be posting an update for a few hours (traveling) unless something serious occurs.
Update 1395: Jeannine Edwards will be featured on ESPN News in a live telephone interview at about 1:50 pm. It is scheduled to run for 4 - 5 minutes.
Update 1394: Mike Jensen interviewed Dr. Richardson this morning, after New Bolton's release. His article includes content from both: Barbaro undergoes more surgery. Excerpts from his interview with Dr. Richardson:
Richardson issued all that in a statement. In a telephone interview, he said, "The big thing is we NOT see anything bad happen at this point for awhile."
And Richardson made it clear that there are real risks involved.
"The major risk of the external skeletal fixation device is that the bone bearing the weight can fracture," Richardson said. He added, "The other thing -- we've been really struggling … it's one thing to have (problems with) one foot at a time, but to have two hind legs, it means he's really going to overload his front feet. Clearly, laminitis in his front feet is a strong concern. The best way to describe this, it's essentially like a house of cards. When one starts to go significantly awry, then more can happen."
Of the risk involved, Richardson said, "Unfortunately, we felt we needed to take this risk because this approach offered our only hope of keeping Barbaro acceptably comfortable."
Richardson and Barbaro's owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, talked in advance about the procedure, as they always do, but there wasn't any debate on whether the procedure was worth trying.
"This is a logical thing to try under the circumstances," Richardson said. "There was no reason not to try it under the circumstances. This is not something that makes a horse real uncomfortable. Typically, when you put a fixer on, it makes him more comfortable."
Update 1393: An update from New Bolton: Update from Dr. Dean W. Richardson on Barbaro's condition:
On Saturday, January 27, Barbaro was taken back to surgery because we could not keep him comfortable on his right hind foot. That foot developed a deep subsolar abscess secondary to bruising when he went through a period of discomfort on the left hind foot. It is not laminitis but the undermining of the sole and part of the lateral heel region are potentially just as serious. We attempted to manage the right hind foot in a cast and then in a custom fabricated brace but it was impossible to have access to the foot for treatment as well as acceptable stability and comfort. We elected to place his right hind in an external skeletal fixation device in order to provide the foot a chance to heal. This means that two steel pins have been placed transversely through his right hind cannon bone. These pins are connected to external sidebars that in turn are connected to a lightweight alloy foot plate. This results in the horse eliminating all weight bearing from the foot; the horse's weight is borne through the pins across his cannon bone. There is significant risk in this approach but we believed it was our only option given the worsening of the right hind foot problem. The major risk of the external skeletal fixation device is that the bone bearing the weight can fracture. Unfortunately, we felt we needed to take this risk because this approach offered our only hope of keeping Barbaro acceptably comfortable.
He had a perfect recovery from anesthesia and has been in and out of the sling since then. His left hind foot appears to be stable at this time. We remain concerned about both front feet. Remarkably, his attitude and appetite were excellent overnight.
We will continue to treat Barbaro aggressively as long as he remains bright, alert and eating. This is another significant setback that exemplifies how complex his medical situation remains because both hind limbs have major problems. Barbaro remains in the Intensive Care Unit of Penn's George D. Widener Hospital at New Bolton Center. Updates will be provided when new information is available.
Update 1392: The Sunshine Millions showcased the return to racing of Lava Man who made it a winning return now he is back in California: Lava Man goes over $4-million in earnings in Sunshine Millions Turf. Sweetnorthernsaint seemed to be cruising with a quarter to go in the Classic, but then came up empty quickly: McCann's Mojave steals Sunshine Millions Classic spotlight. Bordonaro met two that were faster in the Sprint, one of which looked earily like Lost in the Fog: Smokey Stover bursts onto scene with Sprint upset. It was good to see racing return to network TV.
Michael Matz had a nice winner earlier in the day at Gulfstream, Crusader Rabbit, paying $130.40! Both Chelokee and Round Pond worked yesterday. Peter was happy with both works.
I will endevour to get an update on Barbaro later this morning, early afternoon. Mike Jensen updated his story: Owner: 'It's not a good day for Barbaro'
Update 1391: Two articles today concerning today's events, both include quotes from the Jackson's:
Barbaro's comfort concerns doctors
Barbaro has procedure on right hind leg
Update 1390: Today (saturday) was another tough day for Barbaro. He did undergo a procedure, the nature of which I am not aware. I did speak to Peter Brette later this afternoon and know that after the procedure Barbaro was comfortable and standing and I think they were pretty comfortable with what had occured. Keep your thoughts positive for Barbaro.
thank you so much, Alex.
Posted by: Kathy in Northbrook at January 28, 2007 1:42 AM