DSLD and Hanoverians

[keysfins]

@alexandra

What is DSLD ?

Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis is the original term.

The newer term, ESPA, refers to the same condition, but it is now believed to affect the connective tissue throughout the body, not just the suspensory ligaments. The fetlock drop, usually of the hinds, is sometimes the first thing an owner will notice in the horse that has this. It has some similarities with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in humans.

Wikipedia:
Degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis, commonly called DSLD, also known as equine systemic proteoglycan accumulation (ESPA), is a systemic disease of the connective tissue of the horse and other equines.

[Lord_Helpus]

I am incredibly relieved to say that da Goobs failed the DSLD test!!! (or ‘passed’, depending if the glass is 1/2 empty or 1/2 full).

We had to send 2 different samples off because there was not enough tissue in the first sample for a definitive result. The vet made sure there was plenty of tissue for the 2nd sample, so he went 2" into his neck…, The hole is open and infected and oozing puss like you have never seen before. Whatcha’ going to do?

Since the test is not 100% and will give false negatives, I had his other hind suspensory ultrasounded because DSLD is predominately bi-lateral. His other hind leg was perfect, so now I can breathe.

The “only” problem left is that he has a shreaded suspensory on the top of the left hind. The branches of the left hind, and the top and bottom of the right hind are all perfect, so there is “only” one area that needs help. But I want to give him every chance to have a future, so I am looking into every modality which will help him.

Since I cannot get pulp from a newborn foal’s teeth (!) my choice seems to be either PRP or stem cells. Stem cells are ungodly expensive, so I am leaning towards PRP. If anyone feels strongly one way or the other, please feel free to post.

I have also gotten him a pair of Iconoclast boots and when I put them on he goes sound!!! But, then he runs around like a crazy person, because he feels good, so there is no way to win.

[Angela_Freda]

@keysfins

Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis is the original term.

The newer term, ESPA, refers to the same condition, but it is now believed to affect the connective tissue throughout the body, not just the suspensory ligaments. The fetlock drop, usually of the hinds, is sometimes the first thing an owner will notice in the horse that has this. It has some similarities with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in humans.

Wikipedia:
Degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis, commonly called DSLD, also known as equine systemic proteoglycan accumulation (ESPA), is a systemic disease of the connective tissue of the horse and other equines.

Exactly DSLD is literally Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis- indicating it’s only suspensory…
ESPA is Equine Systemic Proteoglycan Accumulation- indicating it’s a condition that effects systems in the entire body, in systems that have proteoglycan involvement.

[Angela_Freda]

@Lord Helpus That is great news.

[vxf111]

Why can’t you get the dental pulp stem cells? I am taking my horse for that on Tuesday and my vet was able to get them?