My Horse has DSLD-ESPA

how many of you have heard of DSLD/ESPA?

2011-06-20T22:09:00.001-05:00

how many of you have heard of DSLD/ESPA? - Cyberhorse Virtual Forums:

Never heard of it before.
apparently these vets are working on a dna test for it to prevent more being born with it. and asking for more donations to speed up their research work.

ive certainly seen horses look like this but simply thought it was injury related not genetic."

From the Peruvian Horse World Forum

2011-06-04T23:10:00.002-05:00

My mare was recently diagnosed with DSLD - Peruvian Horse World:

I'm new here and actually joined on account of my mare being diagnosed with DSLD.
About four weeks ago I noticed my mare was favoring her back left foot and that her fetlock was swollen, so I called my vet out to have x-rays as well as an ultrasound. Turns out she broke a chip off of a bone in her back left foot and as a result she has developed moderate DSLD.After crying (I swear, I thought I was going to lose it because this horse is basically my baby and simply a trail horse. ...

The Farrier & Hoofcare Resource Center Forums

2011-02-10T23:20:00.004-06:00

The Farrier & Hoofcare Resource Center Forums - View Single Post - Founder and NPA:

"I wrote

'Further, I almost never raise the heels on a horse with NPA.'
This is only true when I am dealing with a horse with a problem such as DSLD/ESPA where the fetlocks are 'falling'. In point of fact, I often wedge a horse with NPA so long as I am also supplying frog support of some sort and am not dealing with DSLD/ESPA."

Talk to me about DSLD/ESPA - Chronicle Forums

2011-02-07T23:23:00.002-06:00

Talk to me about DSLD/ESPA - Chronicle Forums:

"I adopted a rescue horse with DSLD/ESPA and soon two others followed. So in all I have owned/cared for 3 with advanced ESPA --- all were unsound and non-rideable but lived a good life of retirement.

A good resource is the Yahoo DSLD/ESPA group. Tons of info there on management, treatment, etc."

DSLD - From the American Paso Finos.com Forums

2011-01-31T23:28:00.001-06:00

Dsld - American Paso Finos.com Forums
My wonderful horse has been diagnosed with the devastating disorder - DSLD. He has it in both hind legs. Anyone else dealt with this? ...
www.americanpasofinos.com/forum/showthread.php?p...

Advice for mare with DSLD - From The Farrier & Hoofcare Forums

2011-01-25T23:27:00.001-06:00

Advice for mare with DSLD - Page 2 - The Farrier & Hoofcare ...
24 Jan 2011 ... Advice for mare with DSLD Farriers Helping Horse Owners with Hoof Trauma and Injury Problems.
www.horseshoes.com/forums/showthread.php?p=225043

DSLD - Any experience/advice?? - From Chronicle of the Horse Forums

2010-12-26T23:30:00.000-06:00

DSLD - Any experience/advice?? - Chronicle Forums
I personally am feeling more and more like it could be DSLD which would ... He really doesn't look as bad as the few horses I have seen in person with DSLD. ...
www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5304842

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T00:01:00.001-06:00

Wishing you all a
Wonderful Christmas
and a
Happy New Year.

Have lots of fun and be safe.

Bless you all!

Dr Halper's Latest Paper

2010-12-24T12:04:00.001-06:00

New link to Dr Halper's latest paper on DE added to the articles listed on the right. This is a PDF file and will require a PDF reader..

Peruvian Saddle for Research $$$

2010-09-09T07:30:00.001-05:00

NICE peruvian saddle with corona, stirrups, guarnicion, and retrancas is being donated to help research. Contact information and tons of photos of each piece may be found here:
http://ppsaddle.blogspot.com/

Please share this with all your horsey friends!

Mobile Phone Ready

2010-08-26T07:35:00.001-05:00

I've added some code to make this blog mobile phone ready.

Please contact me if you experience any problems.

Treating Cushings and DSLD-ESPA

2010-08-02T15:56:00.004-05:00

Dr Kellon posted the video below to the DSLD-Equine Group. It is nothing short of amazing. The horse in the video is in Germany and is diagnosed with DSLD-ESPA, Cushing's Disease, and laminitis with penetration of the coffin bone. The video below shows how this horse regained mobility due to correct treatment and a caring owner.

HERDA (Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia)

2010-08-02T11:04:00.006-05:00

Fran Jurga's blog has an interesting post on HERDA today. Further reading indicates there are some similarities to DSLD-ESPA listed in the post, such as:

HERDA is a connective tissue disease
HERDA horses have loose, stretchy skin, and
Cornea and aortic valves have been affected
HERDA is compared to EDS in humans

Q. What are genetic disorders?

2010-07-27T06:57:00.002-05:00

If you need a quick brush up, check out of the AHA's Nov '09 presentation on Genetic Disorders (in PDF format). While most of this presentation is directed at the Arabian horse owner, the information found in pages 3-13 of this report is not breed specific. The information is thoughtfully presented for the layman in an easy-to-understand manner and will benefit anyone needing a quick refresher course. Pages 71-73 of the presentation include information on breeding, genetic testing, and research and are well worth reading.

Research

2010-07-02T07:10:00.010-05:00

Link to latest research on right under "Articles."
Abstract

Defects in glycosylation of decorin can result in systemic hereditary disease. A mutation in the galactosyl transferase I gene is the underlying defect of a progeroid form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. We have previously described pathological changes in equine systemic proteoglycan accumulation (ESPA, formerly
degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis) as consisting of excessive presence of decorin and other proteoglycans in organs and structures with a high content of connective tissue. Using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, and one- and two-dimensional immunoblotting we have determined that decorin from ESPA-tendons had a higher molecular weight than decorin from non-affected control tendons. Glycosaminoglycan structure and monosaccharide composition were determined with HPLC analysis of chondroitinase ABC-digested glycosaminoglycans and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. This analysis revealed an increase in the total content of sulfated disaccharides, particularly due to enhanced sulfation at 6-position of N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc) with a subsequent decrease in the
ratio of 4-sulfation to 6-sulfation disaccharides in the ESPA decorin. The ESPA-affected decorin also exhibited altered biological activity resulting in (1) diminished binding of TGFβ1 (and of anti-decorin antibody) to ESPA decorin, and (2) increased expression of TGFβ1 in ESPA tissues.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, we have identiﬁed several novel processes that may contribute to the pathogenesis of ESPA. We hypothesize that decorin undergoes changes in glycosylation of its glycosaminoglycans chains. Future experiments will demonstrate whether these changes are due to genetic changes in one or more of the glycosylation enzymes. We hypothesize that the decreased afﬁnity of the proteoglycan for TGFβ1 leads to changes in TGFb expression and has a direct effect on collagen and proteoglycan activity. Future studies will target the effect of these perturbations in glycosylation on ﬁbrillogenesis and impaired biomechanical function.

Definitions:

Pathogenesis -- is the origination and development of a disease
Decorin is a proteoglycan
Glycosylation -- is the enzymatic process that links saccharides to produce glycans attached to proteins, ...
Proteoglycan -- a group of polysaccharide-protein joined together and present in connective tissue and cartilage
Fibrillogenesis -- the development of fine fibrils normally present in collagen fibers of connective tissue
TGFβ1 -- Transforming growth factor beta 1 or TGFβ1 is a polypeptide member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily of cytokines.

DSLD-ESPA in Germany?

2010-06-15T12:27:00.007-05:00

The annotation for this video is in German. Loose translation follows:

We have four Peruvian Pasos with showing DSLD symptoms. I hope to find other people who have experience with this disease.

DSLD-ESPA and "Magic" Supplements

2010-06-01T14:27:00.000-05:00

We've all seen products claiming to "heal" or "treat" various diseases. When you're desperate, it's easy to succumb to the lure of a wonder cure/treatment. But we should be very careful of what we feed our horses.

The blog entry referenced below discusses products which are touted as cures/treatments, but contain undisclosed ingredients which may or may not be helpful. If you're horse owner, you owe it to yourself and your horse to read this post -- especially if your horse is affected by DE. Here's your link:
http://desertequinebalance.blogspot.com/2010/05/in-early-may-i-was-introduced-by.html

and a quote:

If you really have that kind of money to spend on silver bullets, why not try a mineral balanced diet based on hay analysis for a third of the cost and send the rest to your favorite equine research or rescue.

Diagnosed: Cleveland Bay/TB Mare

2009-12-17T08:29:00.002-06:00

http://chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=229230

Chances of owning two DSLD/ESPA horses?

2009-11-17T08:14:00.002-06:00

Here's an older discussion from CotH involving those who have owned or knew someone who owned more than one DE Horse. Horses listed in the discussion include Appy, TB, TWH, Arab, & Peruvian.

Pax

2009-10-27T06:57:00.003-05:00

Mari has graciously shared her information here on the blog. Thank you Mari! The entry below was initially posted on the Yahoo DSLD-Equine Group.

*******************

Guest Post

*******************

Greetings Everyone,

Horse in question: Pax. Age 13 as per neck freeze brand. Ex-trotter and then former Amish buggy horse. Free adoption from woman in Goshen, NY who rescued Pax from Nickerson's kill pen in Unadilla. Has always been a complete pasture ornament, after his arrival here. He has been on MSM since his has been here.

When Pax arrived at age 9, despite his elongated rear pasterns, he was full of pep and vigor. He loved to voluntarily run in the pasture. In the last two years, he has steadily been declining at a slow rate. At first, I thought he had innocuous windgalls or osselettes, due to his racing career and trotting on pavement as a buggy horse. Now, I suspect he has more serious problems.

In May of 2008, he began to limp on his left hind leg. I attributed this limp to a possible strain as it was a very wet spring with slippery ground. Because the limp did not subside, after a couple months, and he was also developing a roached back, I had him examined by an equine vet from the Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital, which is about 1-1/2 miles west of me. Her diagnosis was his limp and roached back was caused from his over-extended pastern ligaments. She pointed out Pax was also losing muscle mass in his same left hind quarters. I was skeptical about this because I had another elderly horse with a slightly roached back, but she was 29. She said Pax would never live to a ripe old age; one day he would lie down and not be able to get up. Treatment: keep Pax on MSM, period.

Pax no longer holds his head high; he no longer even trots. Currently, Pax is on MSM's regimen and also on 1/2 mg of bute twice a day, along with Gelusil to avoid any gastrointestinal side effects from the bute.

I am here because of a dear friend who recognized Pax's symptoms as DSLD. His rear legs appear exactly as the photo on your home page. I am enclosing three attachments. One taken after his rescue from the kill pen and two taken shortly after his arrival.

Thank you for reading this long introduction....

Blessings,
Mari :)

20 y/o Quarab possibly affected w/DE

2009-09-20T10:26:00.003-05:00

From the HGS forums:

"I have a very handsome 20 yr old Quarab gelding, who was my first horse, and is showing signs of his age. He has dropping fetlocks, which forced us to put him into a semi-retired life style. At first they wern't that bad, but now as he gets older they are dropped a lot, and basically touch the ground when he moves. His back legs are the worst..."

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DSLD-ESPA Facebook Page

2009-08-14T18:39:00.000-05:00

Click here to visit and add this page to your favorites!

Cry for the Horses

2009-08-10T19:02:00.004-05:00

http://lindayezak.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/cry-for-the-horses/

Unfortunately, by the time Chris and Jenn got Angie, she was in the advanced euthanasia stage of DSLD, a disease that inflames the animal’s connective tissue. She had been misdiagnosed, and the previous owner hadn’t bothered with a second opinion. The kindest thing to do was to put her down.

What to do about this defect???

2009-07-18T11:43:00.011-05:00

DSLD-ESPA discussion of 22 y/o Arab broodmare with dropped fetlocks. Owner would like to ride this mare. Other horses with this condition are discussed and some owners provide photos. Click here for thread

PF with DE?

2009-07-10T07:41:00.006-05:00

http://babayagasmirror.blogspot.com/2009/07/meet-athena.html

Note the stance in the photos on the above-linked blog. This horse is obviously in pain.

Full discussion found here:
http://forums.horsecity.com/index.php?showtopic=47043205