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  Discussion on DSLD
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 17, 1999 - 11:08 pm:

A subject that nobody in our breed wants to touch (PP). There is much hushed talk and no concrete facts. What is it? Where does it come from? Is it genetic? Are there any markers? Anybody with information on this subject please enlighten me. I read on many different lists that this decease crops up in every breed, so it concerns every horseowner.

Posted on Thursday, Nov 18, 1999 - 6:32 am:

I'm sorry, maybe I am out of touch, what is PP and DSLD stand for?
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Nov 18, 1999 - 10:36 am:

Dr.O: PP is Peruvian Paso and DSLD is Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Decease.

Posted on Friday, Nov 19, 1999 - 6:32 am:

Ohhh that DSLD and PP. Well now, degenerative suspensory ligament disease is a common disease in all breeds an near as I can tell. I currently know a Warmblood (I forget which variety), a Walking Horse (my own), and several TB's afflicted to various degrees. All are horses that are in their late teens or older. The problem has come on slowly and starts to cause lameness once the angle of the pastern falls around 30 degrees. All have stayed comfortable with pasture rest.

Though horsemen have been watching older horses for hundreds of years it has been just recently that interest has been shown in this condition. The suspensory seems to loose it resilency and begins to stretch under the weight of the horse. I have only seen the condition in the rear legs. There have been no scientific studies that I know of of this condition. I have seen a veterinary recommendation for treatment of painful suspensory disease due to this condition. The recommendation is to elevate the heels 12 degrees (3 4 degree wedge pads) and then remove 4 degrees every 2 to 3 months until back to the correct angle. But have no idea if this is useful or hurtful. A recent study showed elevation of the heel actually increased tension on the suspensory but I do not think it was 12 degrees.

I am sure there have no studies of the genetics relating to this condition. Gerlinde, have you information to add. What do you know about this disease in PP's.
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Nov 27, 1999 - 1:42 am:

Sorry that it took me a few days to respond to your question, I was very busy with my second job. I know that DSLD is the inability to heal normal wear and tear on the suspensories, which is genetic. What we don't know is how the genes become defective. Dr. Hood of Texas A&M is currently doing a study on several breeds,PP's included. We have had cases in our breed where mares came down with this decease for no reason after foaling (or so I am told). I had a personal experience with an 8 year old mare with broken down suspensories (this was years ago when I was not aware of DSLD). This mare was sold to us as a broodmare and was bought by us for her impeccable wonderful blood lines. I was told that her suspensories (rear legs) had stabilized and there was no pain. We had our Vet examine her before breeding and she was pronounced breeding sound. The last two months of her pregnancy she spent sitting on the rails in her pasture and would not even lay down to give birth. Her colt was DrOpped into my waiting arms. This mare was in such pain after foaling, we had no choice but to put her down when we weaned her colt. She had been on bute for 5 months straight, with not much relief.
This is my personal experience. Our Vet did a post mortem but did not confirm DSLD. I know this is a little understood decease and hope that some day in the near future we will have some answers. I turned to this forum for other horse owners experiences. Needless to say this colt was gelded.

Posted on Friday, Jun 14, 2002 - 5:53 pm:

My eleven yr. old Peruvian Stallion has been diagnosed with DSLD. I have him in 3degree wedges and shoes all around. He seems comfortable and walks soundly, but when he tries to gait, he is in pain. As long as he is pain free he will spend the rest of his days in a nice pasture.

There is more interest in the Peruvian's and DSLD and studies have begun into the problem. Dr. Jay Mero of Romulus, NY is trying to find a marker.

Posted on Sunday, Jun 16, 2002 - 8:42 pm:

We actually had looked for a Peruvian Paso to stand at stud last year and the prevalance of this problem in the breed really turned us off. I have read about some of the work of Dr. Mero and others with this and I hope this is worked out and it is not found to be an inherent problem with the gait. However I am not sure that the absolutely wonderful gait of this breed is not responsible, or partially responsible, for the early breakdown.
DrO
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