If you're following the story on Barbaro's condition, you
know that he has developed laminitis, a potentially fatal
condition, in his left hind leg (it results from the uneven
weight distribution caused by his injured right hind leg and
could potentially spread to his forelegs).
This was a concern of the vets at the Pennsylvania facility
where he is being treated, from the time they brought him
there after the Preakness.
ESPN has replayed the news conference from yesterday over
and over; the vet has said that it might take five to six months
for Barbaro to regrow the part of the hoof that was removed from the
left hind leg on Wednesday, but laminitis could spread to his other
legs at any time. He also pointed out that, should Barbaro have to
be euthanised, it will be a joint agreement between the vets and
Barbaro's owners, and it will come when he can no longer stand.
In the meantime, Barbaro is reportedly eating well and his vital signs
are good.
Yet last night one of ESPN's anchors predicted that Barbaro could be
euthanised today.
This morning, ESPN reported that Barbaro is "much better," that he
slept well and on his left side last night. Then they replayed the
part of the news conference where the vet said that Barbaro would
be euthanised when he can no longer walk.
OK, fine. Barbaro's chances of survival have gone down in the last
few days. Yet as long as his vital signs are good, and he's eating and
sleeping well, the vets are going to do everything to keep him alive.
Barbaro's owners, the Jacksons, will not consent to have him euthanised
until the vets can do no more, I believe.
So before ESPN's people start making predictions about when the end
will come, they need to get all the facts, then report the euthanisation
if and when it comes...and ONLY then. There are only a few million of
us who are concerned about Barbaro and/or have had a similar situation
with a pet that had an incurable illness. We don't want manufactured optimism;
we want to know that the vets will not put him down until everything that can be done, has been done.
know that he has developed laminitis, a potentially fatal
condition, in his left hind leg (it results from the uneven
weight distribution caused by his injured right hind leg and
could potentially spread to his forelegs).
This was a concern of the vets at the Pennsylvania facility
where he is being treated, from the time they brought him
there after the Preakness.
ESPN has replayed the news conference from yesterday over
and over; the vet has said that it might take five to six months
for Barbaro to regrow the part of the hoof that was removed from the
left hind leg on Wednesday, but laminitis could spread to his other
legs at any time. He also pointed out that, should Barbaro have to
be euthanised, it will be a joint agreement between the vets and
Barbaro's owners, and it will come when he can no longer stand.
In the meantime, Barbaro is reportedly eating well and his vital signs
are good.
Yet last night one of ESPN's anchors predicted that Barbaro could be
euthanised today.
This morning, ESPN reported that Barbaro is "much better," that he
slept well and on his left side last night. Then they replayed the
part of the news conference where the vet said that Barbaro would
be euthanised when he can no longer walk.
OK, fine. Barbaro's chances of survival have gone down in the last
few days. Yet as long as his vital signs are good, and he's eating and
sleeping well, the vets are going to do everything to keep him alive.
Barbaro's owners, the Jacksons, will not consent to have him euthanised
until the vets can do no more, I believe.
So before ESPN's people start making predictions about when the end
will come, they need to get all the facts, then report the euthanisation
if and when it comes...and ONLY then. There are only a few million of
us who are concerned about Barbaro and/or have had a similar situation
with a pet that had an incurable illness. We don't want manufactured optimism;
we want to know that the vets will not put him down until everything that can be done, has been done.