CPL in draft horses

CHRONIC PROGRESSIVE LYMPHEDEMA IN DRAFT HORSES Prof. Dr. H. De Cock University of Antwerp

CPL IN DRAFT HORSES
Lymphatics of the skin
What is lymphedema?
Causes of lymhedema
CPL in draft horses
Clinical signs - histology
Diagnosis
Treatment

1.The lymphatic system of the skin

2. What is lymphedema? Lymph vessels are abnormal in structure (congenital malformation or secondary to trauma) -> accumulation of fluids in tissue -> tissue swelling -> hypoxia of tissue -> skin fibrosis (hardening), hyperkeratosis and secondary bacterial infections (not proper functioning of immune system)

3. Causes
Primary lymphedema: congenital malformation or malfunctioning of lymphatics (CPL most likely)
Secondary lymphedema: after trauma or infection skin

4. CPL in draft horses Clinical signs: Starts with mild enlargement distal limbs -> skin folds in pastern region -> hyperkeratosis and ulceration skin -> swelling becomes hard and nodular -> secondary skin infections -> lymphangitis

CPL mild lesions Scratches or pastern dermatitis looks similar in initial stages

Lymphedema ≠ Scratches Cause is poor function of lymph vessels Many possible causes Slowly progressive Usually does not progress No or minimal improvement with regular treatment Cure with good treatment All 4 limbs affected 1 or 4 limbs affected

Lymphangiography

Histology Extremely dilated and degenerated lymphatics, proliferation of blood vessels (hypoxia), edema, inflammation and degenerated elastin surrounding the lymphatics in CPL

Normal lymphatic In CPL

Elastin difference between normal (left) and CPL (right)

Diagnosis
Most importantant are clinical signs
Lymphoscintigraphy possible but not routinely performed
Anti-elastin antibodies rise in serum (ELISA test performed at University of Antwerp)

Treatment in humans
Good skin care
Elastic bandages
Exercise
Manual lymph drainage

Treatment in horses
Good skin care -> prevention trauma and irritation
Chorioptes mites prevention
Wound care
Dry skin
Reason: irritation and inflammation increases lymph stasis in legs

treatment 2. Supportive elastic bandages, life long and as much as possible Reason: pushes accumulated fluid out of the skin

treatment 3. Lots of exercise Reason: muscle movement pushes fluid out of the tissues

treatment
Manual lymph drainage
Few people know how to do this in the horse ≠ regular massage
Reason: pushes accumulated fluid out of the skin

Results of treatment: lesions before and after treatment

Met dank aan iedereen die meewerkte aan het project: Eigenaars Dierenartsen Leen Van Brantegem (UA) Verena Affolter & Greg Ferraro (UCDavis) Prof. Ducatelle (UGent) Technisch personeel UA, UGent & UCDavis

CPL in draft horses

by Ayrshire Farm on Nov 03, 2009

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CPL in draft horses — Presentation Transcript