UPENN VETS Staff Photo Journal of Barbaro's Recovery by Cle Shaw August 18, 2006Upper Left Photo by Lloyd Fox Baltimore Sun; Rest of Photos by Sabina Pierce University of Pennsylvania

Top L & R (Michael Matz watches as Medical Team examines extent of Barbaro's injuries) (Barbaro gets special attention from ICU nurse)

Bottom L & R (Drs. David Levine and Liberty Getman prepare Barbaro for this bath and then give him one).

Barbaro's Journey to New Bolton Center began May 20, 2006 when he suffered multiple fractures of his right hind leg and dislocation of his hock. Emergency medical crews loaded Barbaro into an ambulance heading to NBC as Dr. Richardson flew back in from a trip. Next morning, he and his medical team would operate for over 5 hours to save Barbaro's shattered pastern bone. Using 27 screws, hip bone grafts, and plate he stabilized the Heroic patient. For next 7 weeks, Barbaro would fight to live and survive 5 operations including his left hoof resection. He underwent the lifesaving surgery July 13, 2006. Acute Laminitis set in causing his temperature to rise above 102 indicating there was systemic infection. He was place on antibiotics and epidurals for pain and infection while Dr.Richardson and his medical team resected over 90% of his hoof wall, dead laminae, and some of his bottom sole.

To assist with his recovery, he was placed in the Anderson Sling during the day but was allowed to rest on soft hay from 7 pm until about 9:00 am the next day. He also would have special baths

massages, and daily cast and wound care for his injuries and surgical sites. Special care was given to ensure his legs and feet were protected from water as seen above.

(Dr. Richardson leads Barbaro back from recovery July 14, 2006)

(Barbaro in his sling for support to rest his hind legs during the day)

(Barbaro get special carrot & enjoys his special evening grain meal).

ICU Nurses, staff, and doctors continued to monitor our charismatic Champion. Monitored 24/7 he had vitals taken 4 times a day and dressing changes twice daily. His casts were checked for any signs of breakage and sites closely monitored for infection. (See Dr. Richardson's Response to Live Questions section on the side link). Total of 6 cast changes were done to date, due partly to the surgeries of his right hind leg needing four screws replaced and infection removed internally from the pastern bone site. Plus, they needed to see how well Barbaro's leg was healing. As of August 17th, the next cast change will be in about 3 weeks. Barbaro continues to beat the 50/50 odds and is responding well. He eats, drinks, and rests which is very important to his recovery. His appetite has improved to where he is putting some weight back on as noticed by Dr. Kathy Anderson (Fair Hill Training Veterinarian) who recently visited him.

Above, Dr. Richardson and Dr. Emma Adams put are putting one of the several new casts on Barbaro's right hind leg. He has been an exceptionally well-behaved patient tolerating the numerous medical procedures and cast changes.
Sabina Pierce taken August 11, 2006 Design by Cle Shaw

(Barbaro and Dr. Richardson enjoy sunshine and fresh air)

GRAZING FOR FIRST TIME

For the first time in almost 3 months, Barbaro enjoys hand grazing on a shank with Dr. Dean Richardson by his side. He was permitted to munch on grass for 15 minutes his first time. Now he is spending about 30 minutes with Dr. Richardson late afternoons in a nearby secluded area close to the ICU. He looks forward to these outtings as much as Dr. Richardson does. And, he no longer requires use of his sling to support his weight and rest his legs. He is lying down now in a full upright position eating very special Timothy Hay Mix among other special nutritionals. Dr. Kathy Anderson's recent second visit confirmed this. Barbaro continues to be in stable but serious condition at New Bolton Center. His vitals, bloodwork, weight, and pain relief continue to improve. He is no longer on pain relieving epidurals and they have been able to scale down the amount of pain meds needed to keep Babaro comfortable. Next update is scheduled for Tuesday, August 22, 2oo6 unless something changes.