Chronic Progressive Lymphedema (CPL) in Horses – [Symptoms & Treatment]

CPL
Prevalence
Signs
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention

Chronic Progressive Lymphedema (CPL) is a condition that describes impaired lymph flow in the lower legs. Primarily observed in draft horse breeds, CPL causes swelling and skin inflammation on affected legs. ^[1]

Horses with the condition are also at risk of lesions and secondary bacterial and parasitic infections developing on their legs because of poor lymph flow.

A veterinarian can typically diagnose CPL based on a clinical examination. There is no cure for CPL. However, intensive management strategies can slow the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life of affected horses.

CPL was recognized in 2003, although skin lesions associated with the condition were initially reported in the early 20^th century. ^[1] CPL is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

What is Chronic Progressive Lymphedema?

A systemic disease of the lymphatic system, CPL occurs due to the accumulation of lymph fluid in the lower legs of affected horses. ^[2]

CPL is a debilitating condition that causes secondary recurrent bacterial and parasitic infections due to poor lymphatic drainage and blood circulation. ^[2]

Recurrent infections promote the development of skin lesions that can extend up the leg to the knees or hocks. These infections typically increase the amount of lymphedema in the affected legs. ^[2]

Decreased lymph flow in the legs of horses with CPL may initially go unnoticed if heavy hair (feathering) is present on the legs. The tissue damage caused by CPL is progressive and can result in lameness, severe disability, disfigurement, and potentially premature death. ^[2]

Chronic progressive lymphedema differs from chronic pastern dermatitis, a condition that occurs due to primary infection with microorganisms.

Treatments of skin infections do not resolve the underlying lymphedema associated with CPL.

Lymphatic System Dysfunction and CPL

The role of the equine lymphatic system is to maintain fluid balance in the tissues, support immune function in the skin, and remove cellular waste products.

Protein-rich lymph fluid circulates throughout the body through lymph vessels and lymph nodes.

Elastin, an extracellular matrix protein, is necessary to move lymph fluid throughout the body. Abnormal elastin metabolism and impaired elastin quality in the skin are believed to be associated with CPL. ^[2]

If lymph flow is compromised, oxygen supply to tissues decreases and metabolic waste products accumulate within the body. Poor lymph flow (lymph stasis) impairs the skin’s immune response to pathogens and jeopardizes the integrity of the skin barrier.

In advanced cases of CPL, there may be complete lymph stasis due to lymphatic dysfunction, lymph vessel dilatation, and the formation of excess fibrous connective tissue (fibrosis). ^[2]

Prevalence of CPL

Horses that develop CPL typically don’t show detectible signs of the disease before the age of two. ^[2]

CPL affects breeds including: ^[3]

Belgian draft horses
German draft horses
Shires
Clydesdales
Gypsy Vanners
English Cobs
Friesians
Percherons

The number of horses affected by CPL is unknown. However, a study of 161 Belgian draft horses found that 82% had CPL. ^[4]

Another study involving 912 horses of six different breeds of German draft horses older than 2.5 years determined a prevalence of CPL ranging from 47.5 to 96.1%. ^[4]

Signs of CPL

The severity of CPL correlates with how severely lymphatic clearance is delayed. ^[1] Early signs of CPL include:

Swelling in the lower legs
Soft pitting edema

Advanced signs of CPL include:

Firm swelling in the legs
Folds in the skin due to swelling and tissue damage
Lesions (ulcers)
Fibrosis that results in nodule formation
Poor hoof growth
Thrush
Scaling skin
Granulation tissue
Discharge of exudate (pus) due to secondary bacterial overgrowth from the crevices of skin folds
Loss of shape of the lower leg
Skin folds on the neck and the trunk
Impaired movement due to nodule development and skin folds on the limbs

Secondary Infections

Horses with CPL are prone to the following types of recurring infections due to reduced lymph flow which disrupts the normal barrier function of the skin.

Bacterial Infections:

Skin infections in horses with CPL may involve bacteria including various species of Staphylococcus and Dermatophilus congolensis. ^[2] Heavy feathering traps moisture and bacteria that propagate infection.

Parasitic Infections:

Chorioptes bovis, a type of skin mite that causes chorioptic mange, is common in horses with CPL. ^[2]

Feathered horses with CPL are prone to overproducing keratin (hyperkeratosis) in their skin. ^[1] This abnormal thickening of the outer layer of the skin is associated with the development of skin crusts that feather mites feed on.

Mites are a trigger for CPL as they can cause scarring and damage to the skin and superficial lymph vessels.

Causes of CPL

The cause of CPL is currently unknown. However, a combination of the following factors is believed to be involved in the development of the condition.

Biological Abnormalities

Reduced and or Poor-Quality Elastin:

Organized in a three-dimensional network in the skin, elastin surrounds lymphatic vessels and functions like an elastic sponge to facilitate lymph transport throughout the body.

Horses with CPL have an abnormal quantity and/or quality of elastin in their skin which results in impaired lymph uptake and clearance from the tissues.

A study that compared skin samples from horses with CPL and those without the condition determined that affected horses had increased amounts of dermal elastin in their lower legs and neck, whereas the non-affected horses of a susceptible breed had decreased amounts. ^[5]

Antibodies to elastin have been noted in the blood serum of horses with CPL. ^[6]

Although the quantity of dermal elastin increases in the neck and leg skin of horses with CPL, the architectural structure of this elastin is less organized compared to horses without the condition.

It has been proposed that the body forms new elastin to compensate for a lack of elastic support from the original elastin.

Abnormal Desmosine:

An amino acid that cross-links elastin fibers, desmosine is reduced in the skin of the neck and lower legs of horses with CPL. However, desmosine levels have been found to increase when lesions develop. ^[2]

Genetic Influence

No specific genetic markers or mutations are known to be present in horses with CPL, although research sections of DNA sequences may be associated with the condition. ^[7]

Genetics are believed to play a role in the development of CPL in certain breeds of draft horses. The high rate of occurrence in some breeds suggests a genetic predisposition for the condition.

CPL is known to occur in Belgian draft horses after continuous selected breeding aimed at producing offspring with dense feathering and heavier legs. ^[2]

A study of 28 Friesian horses found that affected horses had a significantly increased gaskin length, thus suggesting a genetic phenotype may be associated with the development of CPL. ^[1]

Environmental Triggers

The environmental conditions in which horses with CPL live affect the progression of their disease. ^[2] Sandy and muddy environments are believed to promote the development of lesions, whereas clean rubber surfaces do not. ^[2]

Lesions occur more often in horses used for breeding and food production compared to those that are used for work or riding. ^[1]

Diagnosis

A veterinary diagnosis of CPL is typically based on clinical presentation and consideration of breed disposition for the disease. Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination and diagnostic testing.

The early stages of the disease are typically evident when palpating the lower limbs. Clipping of the feathers is often required to identify lesions.

The following diagnostic testing strategies are less commonly used to diagnose CPL:

Lymphoscintigraphy:

An imaging technology, lymphoscintigraphy is useful for distinguishing lymphedema from other causes of lower limb swelling. ^[1] This technology can determine how impaired lymph drainage is by identifying dilated and distorted lymph vessels.

Skin Biopsy:

A biopsy can be used to identify lesions of dilated lymphatic vessels and changes in the underlying elastin fiber network of the skin. However, a loss of elastin may only be present in deep tissues and may not be noted on a regular skin biopsy. ^[1]

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA):

This test was developed to aid in diagnosing CPL by detecting serum anti-elastin antibodies in horses. However, it is not used as a routine test to diagnose CPL. ^[1]

Prognosis:

Diligent management can improve the quality of life for horses with CPL, although there is no cure for the condition.

Some affected horses may have a reasonable quality of life, whereas severely affected horses are often euthanized.

Treatment

No treatment currently exists for Chronic Progressive Lymphedema. Therapy for CPL focuses on management strategies to help improve the comfort of affected horses.

Grooming:

Keeping feathers/excess hair on the legs clipped allows the skin to be observed more easily to treat any lesions promptly. Short hair also provides access to the skin surface to apply topical treatments, prevents moisture from being trapped in the hair, and allows the skin to dry quickly.

Skin Cleansing:

Affected areas of skin should be gently washed using non-irritating sulfur-based shampoos. After washing, the skin should be thoroughly dried.

Antibiotics:

Oral and or topical antibiotics may be required to treat secondary skin infections involving bacterial organisms. To avoid the development of microbial resistance, different antimicrobial medications may need to be used on a rotating basis.

Antiparasitic Treatments:

Topical or oral medications may be used to treat parasite infections involving chorioptes. Treatments for these mite infestations include the topical application of Fipronil spray and lime sulfur.

Topical or systemic treatments using macrocyclic lactone drugs including eprinomectin and ivermectin are also used.

Compression Bandaging:

Multiple layers of specialized compression bandages are applied over carefully padded limbs. Compression bandages create a pressure gradient up the leg. These bandages must be applied correctly to avoid causing injury or further damage to the affected legs.

Environmental Management:

Horses with CPL should be kept in a dry environment to avoid exposure to wet and muddy conditions that can promote skin infections.

Pesticide applications in barns may help to prevent infestation and reinfestation with mites.

Daily Exercise:

Horses with CPL benefit from regular exercise to increase circulation and lymph flow in their legs.

Hoof Care:

Regular farrier care is critical for horses with CPL as their hoof quality may be compromised due to the lymphedema involved. Cleaning the hooves daily is important to check for the development of thrush.

Combined Decongestive therapy (CDT):

CDT treatment involves manual lymph drainage (MLD) and compression bandaging to stimulate the lymph system. This treatment is typically performed by a professional. The goal of CBT is to move lymph from dysfunctional to functional areas of the lymphatic system and to break down fibrotic tissue.

Prevention

At present, there is no way to prevent CPL in susceptible horses. Because some horses are affected by CPL at a later age, they may have already passed on a genetic predisposition to the disease if they have been bred.

Strategies to aid in delaying the onset or progression of CPL include: ^[2]

House affected horses in a clean and dry environment (rubber matted surfaces)
Use turnout boots to protect the skin from the elements
Apply a barrier cream to help protect the skin from moisture damage
Treat leg bacterial or parasitic infections promptly to prevent their spread
Provide daily exercise to stimulate blood and lymph flow
Use compression bandages to encourage lymph flow
Ensure regular farrier care
Feed a balanced diet to support overall health and skin
Performing repeated clinical examinations prior to breeding to help reduce CPL occurrence

If your horse has CPL, consult with our nutritionists for feeding and management recommendations. You can submit your horse’s information online for a free analysis.