Barbaro's Improvement "Absolutely Thrills" His Chief Surgeon
Yesterday, Dr. Dean Richardson was informally interviewed by DMV Dr. Debbye Turner (correspondent for CBS News Early Show)on LIVE VIDEO. She was amazed at "really great Barbaro looked" and even had to jog to keep up along side him as Dr. Dean took him on his late afternoon walk they do together. He said, "I am thrilled he pulls me around and that he's able to walk at a brisk pace comfortably...absolutely thrilled. He is doing far better than I thought he'd ever do...I am just thrilled."
Even though he's been on bedrest for a long time he's still a very strong horse.
What you're seeing today is nothing quite like he really is when healthy. Just ask his trainer Michael Matz. It takes at least 3 or 4 people to handle him. He is quite a handful."
Barbaro would prove that when Dr. Turner held her hand underneath his muzzle. He nipped several times as if to bite her. Dr. Richardson explained, "he's used to getting treats and thinks you have something for him. It's best not to tease him or he'll keep nipping."
The interview switched to what key factors turned Barbaro's recovery around and where is in terms of getting out of the woods. Dr. Richardson reported, "The attributing key factors to Barbaro's improved recovery are outstanding nursing care and effective pain management control keeping him comfortable. His fabulous attitude also played a key part."
"He just kept taking the blows thrown at him and he keeps fighting. If you can keep pain under control, it keeps a horse from giving up on life. Not eating, drinking, and interacting with your caregiver are signs he won't survive. That is why pain control to keep him comfortable is so important." Barbaro was on a number of pain killers included narcotics.
Summarizing, "he received various pain killers through an epidural catheter in his hind pelvis. He also received anesthesia making it easier. He had the catheter for over a month or more which is rather unusual. However, he is no longer using one. He gets an equivalent of 2 aspirin a day now to comfortably manage his pain."
When asked about his thoughts on when Barbaro might be out of the woods, Dr. Richardson
replied, "He still isn't out of the woods but at the moment he has a clearer path to walk through.
I can't really be confident until he's out of his R Hind leg cast." His concern remains about protecting Barbaro's right leg so that "he doesn't overload his left hind leg and laminitic foot."
Regarding Barbaro's chances for improving recovery, Dr. Richarson believes first is his survival However, he cautioned that Barbaro would be at least several more months in Intensive Care at NBC. "This is the best place for him so he his healing progress can be very closely managed, especially his left hind foot and the fusion process of his pastern bone in his right hind leg."
According to Dr. Turner's comment, "While no amount of money guarantees Barbaro's survival," she did say the Jacksons have already poured out over tens of thousands of dollars for his medical costs. Dr. Richardson reminded her, " if this were a human recovering, their medical care would be well over half a million to a million dollars. At least, we are nowhere near to that...not even close to that figure for Barbaro's veterinary care."
Dr. Richardson concluded that first -- ideally for Barbaro to have a full recovery, he must first regrow his L hoof completely and have full weight-bearing capability on a solidly fused pastern of his R hind leg. And second -- if he does recover fully, "he will certainly be able to do more than just walk again." He is hopeful that "by sometime in 2008, Barbaro will be capable of mounting mares and siring offspring."
So, as he continues to improve his recovery we have cause to celebrate...
The flow of get-well cards, gifts, and goodies continues to pour in on a daily basis here at NBC.
Editing
&
design by Cle Shaw
Barbaro's special stall area is adorned with 3rd graders handiwork and Love messages.
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