Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD) or Equine Systemic Proteoglycan Accumulation (ESPA) is a degenerative, ultimately lethal syndrome known to be a systemic connective tissue disease with a strong genetic component.
Several breeds are affected, e.g. Arabians, Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, Morgans, Peruvian Pasos, Paso Finos, Saddlebreds, Warmbloods, Appaloosas, Friesians, and lately there also have been cases witnessed among the Akhal Teke. Horses are affected in the tendons and ligaments of all legs, nuchal ligament, the patella, the disease can also affect the eyes , the aorta, the skin and other organs. The entire body becomes affected as the disease progresses, some horses have shown an iron overload in the liver.
The symptoms of DSLD/ESPA are varied. A significant sign may be an enlarged suspensory with disruption of tissues and lesions shown on ultrasound. However, in early stages, ligaments may be enlarged but look normal in fiber without lesions. The recognizable disruption and lesions do not always appear until late in the problem. Without using the latest protocol, today's testing methods are not adequate to verify absolute presence of DSLD/ESPA. Even ultrasound, without the operator/reader being trained to look beyond " Disruptions and Holes" for size differences, and actually making measurements, can lead to missed diagnosis for DSLD/ESPA.
Other symptoms include dropped pasterns, heat and swelling in the fetlocks, unexplained lameness and false colics. Some horses will not show dropped fetlocks, but a more upright presentation, and the lameness may not be severe. Post legged stance, muscle wasting, walking wide behind, standing in holes, stiffness when first getting up, moving slowly like they are arthritic, stumbling, knuckling forward in the fetlock joints, sitting on fences or the feed bucket, and failing a flex test on two or four legs, are also seen as the problem progresses. Until the recent diagnostic ultrasound protocols, it was difficult to recognize and properly diagnose DSLD/ESPA.
Current researchers strongly advise to take all affected horses out of the breeding pool so the disease does not get passed on, as the disorder is believed to be genetic. Currently at least one productive Akhal Teke sire has been witnessed to show classic symptoms, however there are quite a few photos of a variety of Akhal Teke available, which put them on a list of "also suspects".
Further information can be found here:
In view of the so very narrow genetic diversity of the Akhal Teke breed, suspect horses ought to be tested by knowledgable veterinarians and their immediate family checked as well.© 2006-2009 www.akhalteke.info
