Rachel Alexandra has baby #2

[TouchOfGrey]

They say it's serious. :-(

http://www.stonestreetfarms.com/info/?page_id=144

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by TouchOfGrey

They say it's serious. :-(

http://www.stonestreetfarms.com/info/?page_id=144

The foal was pretty large, so after last year I did wonder if she'd have problems again. I hope this isn't a sign that she's going to be a high risk pregnancy every year. I'm not clear on what they do during surgery for bruising on a small colon. Would part of it be removed? Maybe do something to reduce bleeding and stitch it up?

[TouchOfGrey]

I'm wondering if this will be it for her for motherhood. She wound up at R&R for pain management after foaling the colt. This is a lot more serious.

The filly is with a nurse mare. Does this mean she stays with the nurse mare until weaning now?

Bloodhorse: Rachel Alexandra Has Post-Foaling Surgery

DRF: Rachel Alexandra has surgery for foaling complications

[Arletta]

The baby appears to have heart shape marking. Hopefully this won't be the last picture of thwn together.



Rachael's Baby.jpg

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by TouchOfGrey

They say it's serious. :-(

http://www.stonestreetfarms.com/info/?page_id=144

[Kasept]

Latest: http://www.kentucky.com/2013/02/14/2...medium=twitter

[TouchOfGrey]

HRTV Video: Breaking News: Rachel Alexandra Undergoes Colon Surgery

ETA the following tweets:
@DRFBreeding: At Rood and Riddle, waiting on 2:30 press conference on condition of Rachel Alexandra.
@DRFBreeding: Conference will be w/ surgeon Dr. Brett Woodie, attending vet Dr. Bonnie Barr, owner Barbara Banke

[TouchOfGrey]

@DRFBreeding: (Dr. Brett)Woodie: Her recovery from anesthesia was uncomplicated, doing the best we could expect with recovery.

@DRFBreeding: (Dr. Bonnie)Barr: Too early to make prognosis, prediction on future as a broodmare. Taking it one day at a time.

@DRFBreeding: Woodie: Doesn't think Rachel's dam Lotta Kim's history of foaling difficulty had any bearing on Rachel's situation.

@DRFBreeding: Barbara Banke: It's a beautiful filly, birth was hard for her.

@DRFBreeding: Banke: That morning, Rachel was bright & seemed to be progressing well, then all of a sudden she looked depressed.

@DRFBreeding: Banke: We got her here in record time, and they did surgery right after that.

@flysofree: Dr. Woodie: exploratory surgery to find source of bacterial infection in abdomen. Recovered well doing “as best as we can expect”

@flysofree: Dr. Barr: Rachel having IV fluids, antibiotics, anti-inflam, flushing of abdominal cavity

@flysofree: Dr. Barr: too early to predict full recovery or ability to foal in future for Rachel A

@flysofree: Dr. Woodie: impossible to say whether size of this filly affected Rachel’s complications

@flysofree: Banke: Rachel seemed fine morning after birthing, but suddenly became depressed, rushed her to the clinic. Looks brighter today

@flysofree: Banke: filly looks great, running around, adjusting to nurse mare.

@flysofree: Stonestreet: Adjustment to nurse mare going very well, pair will likely be turned out tomorrow

@DRFBreeding: Banke: Rachel looks brighter today, so that makes me happy. It's a day-by-day, hour-by-hour thing, so it's very serious.

@DRFBreeding: Banke: We ask people to send good thoughts and prayers to Rachel and hope for the best.

@DRFBreeding: Banke: The filly looks great, and wants to run around. She's getting used to the nursemare, so I think the filly will be fine

[Danzig]

hoping for the best. we all know she's a tough girl.

[TouchOfGrey]

From Rood & Riddle:

February 14, 2013-- After foaling Rachel Alexandra was closely monitored by Stonestreet Farm employees as well as Rood & Riddle veterinarians. On Wednesday afternoon around 2:30 a change in her demeanor was noted and she was immediately rushed to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital to undergo exploratory abdominal surgery to determine the cause of excess fluid in her abdominal cavity denoting an infection.

Surgery identified that the cause of the infection was a section of the small colon that had lost its blood supply due to an injury during foaling causing bacteria to be released into the abdomen. The damaged section of intestine was removed and extensive abdominal lavage was performed to remove inflammatory cells and bacteria. Due to the nature and the extent of the problem the surgery was long and technically demanding but recovery from anesthesia was uncomplicated.

Rachel Alexandra is currently receiving IV antibiotics, IV fluids, anti-inflammatory agents, IV nutrition and medications to counteract the effects of bacterial toxins. Medications are also being administered to aid in the prevention of scar tissue in the abdominal cavity. A standing abdominal lavage utilizing abdominal drains placed at surgery is also being performed several times a day.

Her condition is very serious but it is too early to give an accurate prognosis.

Dr. Brett Woodie (the attending surgeon on the case) said in his press conference this afternoon that she is doing "the best that can be expected”

[pointman]

Originally Posted by TouchOfGrey

HRTV Video: Breaking News: Rachel Alexandra Undergoes Colon Surgery

ETA the following tweets:
@DRFBreeding: At Rood and Riddle, waiting on 2:30 press conference on condition of Rachel Alexandra.
@DRFBreeding: Conference will be w/ surgeon Dr. Brett Woodie, attending vet Dr. Bonnie Barr, owner Barbara Banke

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OvMZT2zfy0

[Merlinsky]

From Stonestreet's FB page: "There is no change in Rachel’s condition tonight, which is good & she enjoyed a mint. She is so courageous in this most important fight."

I'm hoping it's a good sign that she felt well enough to eat a mint. I've had to make an elderly pet comfortable in his last days, and one of things that gives you a sinking feeling is how they fail to respond to a favorite treat.