Barbaro May Die Due to Foot Inflamation

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (AP) – Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro has developed a severe case of laminitis, a potentially fatal disease brought on by uneven weight distribution in the limbs, and his veterinarian called his chances of survival “a long shot.”Dean Richardson, the chief surgeon who has been treating Barbaro since the colt suffered catastrophic injuries in the Preakness on May 20, said the Derby winner’s chances of survival are poor.“I’d be lying if I said anything other than poor,” Richardson said Thursday at a news conference at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. “As long as the horse is not suffering, we’re going to continue to try (to save him).“If we can keep him comfortable, we think it’s worth the effort.”If not, Barbaro could be euthanized at any time. Richardson said if Barbaro does not respond quickly to treatment, “It could happen within 24 hours.”Richardson said the laminitis nearly has destroyed the colt’s hoof on his uninjured left hind leg. Laminitis, a painful condition, developed in the past few days. The disease turned more serious in the past day.“The left hind is basically as bad laminitis as you can have,” Richardson said, adding that horses have recovered from laminitis. He said he has discussed the situation closely with owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson.Richardson said Barbaro’s injured right hind leg _ the one that shattered at the start of the Preakness _ is healing well, but because a horse has to be evenly balanced, laminitis set in on the other foot.“We removed a large portion of his (left) foot wall, probably 20 percent of it,” Richardson said. “He’s in a foot cast with foam padding and antiseptic dressing. We’ll see if can regrow his hoof. It will take months and months.”The grim update came after nearly six weeks of a smooth recovery. Barbaro had hours of surgery on May 21 to insert a titanium plate and 27 screws into three broken bones and the pastern joint, and has had two other operations in recent days.“I really thought we were going to make it two weeks ago,” Richardson said. “Today I’m not as confident.”

Barbaro May Die Due to Foot Inflamation

More from the New York Sun

Homeland Security Shutdown Looks Set To Drag On, Bringing New Headaches for Air Travelers

Social Security’s Looming Bankruptcy Could Compel Congress To Touch the ‘Third Rail’ of Politics

A New ‘Coriolanus’ Crashes Shakespeare’s Tragic Hero Into the Digital Age

‘Gainsborough: The Fashion of Portraiture’ Brings the Glamor of High Style to the Frick Mansion

World Curling Addresses Cheating Allegations Following Profanity-Laden Olympic Clash Between Canada and Sweden

Western Allies Say Russia Murdered Navalny in 2024 With Poison From South American Dart Frogs

America and Europe Look To Become Frenemies With Softer Tone at Munich Forum

Virginia Supreme Court Greenlights April 21 Redistricting Referendum