Barbaro out of surgery... news seems positive.....

[femmocrat]

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. - Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro underwent day-long surgery Sunday to repair three broken bones in his right rear leg and afterward "practically jogged back to the stall," the colt's surgeon said.


At this moment "he is extremely comfortable in the leg," said Dr. Dean Richardson, who stressed before the marathon procedure that he's never worked on so many catastrophic injuries to one horse.

Barbaro sustained "life-threatening injuries" Saturday when he broke bones above and below his right rear ankle at the start of the Preakness Stakes. His surgery began early Sunday afternoon at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center for Large Animals

[DianeG5385]

1. The last race I watched live was the Ruffian/Seattle Slew match race

Many, many years ago. I was still a kid as I watched Ruffian break her leg and go down. I was seriously traumatized by that race and since then have not wanted to watch live races in case it happened again. I did not watch the Ky derby live this year and also missed the Preakness. I fervently hope that Barbaro will be okay.

[BrklynLiberal]

7. It was Foolish Pleasure that ran that race against Ruffian

It was a "battle of the sexes", a match race between Ruffian and that year's Kentucky Derby winner, Foolish Pleasure

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruffian_%28horse%29

[sleepyhead]

2. Dr. Richardson was one of my teachers in vet school

And he is one of the foremost equine surgeons in the US. If anyone can do it, he can. I have been gritting my teeth and hoping for the best.

[xultar]

3. WOW You're a VET. I SOOOOO LOVE YOU!!!!!

[sleepyhead]

4. Not a horse vet, though.

I only treat small animals. Haven't been up close and personal with a horse since vet school. But I love horses and always watch the Triple Crown races. I have been in tears about Barbaro.

[greenbriar]

5. cool we just adopted a 1 year old pug I have a ?

the lady said he was house broke, but he liked to lift his leg...

is he just spreading his scent, or is he peeing in the house.


she said when he is neutered he would stop lifting his leg.


He is a very cute baby

[sleepyhead]

10. Check your PM. n/t

[BrklynLiberal]

8. Are you practicing in Brooklyn?

[sleepyhead]

9. Yes.

Check your PM.

[xultar]

12. I LOVE ALL VETS and anyone who cares for animals.

[DS1]

6. They gave him a Rush Limbaugh dosage of pain killers

[Greylyn58]

11. This is terrific news

I have been so upset since the race yesterday. I really thought this colt had a real chance at the Triple Crown and was just stunned when Edgar Prado pulled him up just after leaving the starting gate.

I had a feeling it was bad when I saw how he kept lifting his leg-not letting it hisfoot touch the ground.

I felt so bad for the horse, the trainer and the rider.

[bklyncowgirl]

13. It's really an incredible surgical feat. Here's what his leg looks like.

A picture of the x-rays

http://cdn.news.aol.com/aolnews_photos/01/00/20060521225809990013

Now the struggle will be to prevent infection and keep Barbaro relaxed and calm through months of rehabilitation. It's tough because this is a young horse in the peak of condition. He seems like a sensible horse, however, and this makes him a prime candidate for a miracle.

The fact that he went to his stall and immediately started eating is good news. If he was in distress he would not be interested in food.