Paynter continues to battle critical illness; condition
improves Friday
Ahmed Zayat had revealed Thursday that it “wasn’t a good night for Paynter,”
Earlier Friday, his owner issued an encouraging interim bulletin, followed by
Here are the early Friday afternoon updates:
“On the positive
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“His complete bloodwork is normal both the white blood cells and red blood
cells. All enzymes both liver and kidney are totally normal.
“His feet continue to stay perfect. We changed the ice around them today and
they were very happy with how they looked. Now we put them back for precautions.
“By no means are we out of the woods yet but definitely we are feeling much
better today than yesterday.
“On the negative side his fever is still there at 103. His diarrhea is there
but better. His lungs are the same as yesterday.
“We have started some antibiotics just to be precautious that the bacteria
that can travel through the bloodstream is not fungus.
“We are hopeful next update will be around 5 p.m. after we take his bloodwork
and new vital signs as well as an ultrasound on his lungs to see if there is
change from this morning.
The positive trend indeed continued, as described by
“I just got off the phone with Dr. (Laura) Javsicas,” the veterinarian caring
“We do not want to get ahead of ourselves here but Paynter continues to be
“He has perked up and is actually fighting with Laura which is the normal
“His temp has broke. His diarrhea has slowed down significantly. His lungs
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“All in all I will continue to take these baby steps towards God willing a
full recovery.”
Paynter’s condition had given cause for alarm Thursday, and Justin Zayat
alerted fans that the next 24 hours could decide his survival.
“Our main concern is that his white blood cells go up so the infection and
bacteria that are now in his colon and intestines don’t travel through his
bloodstream and infect other organs. And his body becomes septic,” the racing
manager tweeted at that time.
“If that happens that is the end of it. So again next 24 hours are critical
that this nightmare scenario doesn’t happen.”
That worst-case possibility appeared to recede Friday morning, as Ahmed Zayat
was elated to report:
“Omg omg the power of prayer. Please keep praying. His white blood cell is
9,000 which is 9X of what it was. Good sign.”
Justin Zayat paid tribute to the care that Paynter is receiving, and
noted that Dr. Javsicas has gone above and beyond in her dedication:
“Our only console and comfort is the angel that is attending Paynter,” he
tweeted Thursday. “She has not slept since Monday. An incredible professional
vet who has not stopped crying since we have been there.
“You can tell that she genuinely cares.”
The Zayats have likewise been expressing their gratitude for the prayers,
well wishes and kind messages from Paynter’s fans.
This is the second time within the past month that Paynter has become very
ill. Just a couple of days after his 3 3/4-length victory in the July 29
Haskell, the Bob Baffert trainee spiked a fever and had to be transported from
Monmouth to the Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center.
After spending more than a week at that New Jersey clinic, Paynter was
discharged and vanned to Belmont Park. He later joined Baffert’s runners at
Saratoga, where he began to resume galloping, only to become acutely ill with
fever and diarrhea this past weekend.
Last Sunday, Paynter was admitted to the Schuylerville clinic, where he was
diagnosed with colitis.
According to the Upstate Equine Medical Center’s Facebook page, “there is no
evidence that his current illness is related to any prior ailment.”
Ahmed Zayat tweeted that an additional update would not be issued until later
Saturday:
“Just a warning. We will not have any updates Saturday morning until the
evening. So don’t get nervous. #PowerUpPaynter.”
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