The latest research (2010) has led to the proposed renaming of the disease from DSLD to ESPA because of the systemic and hereditary components now being found.
Yet, as it advances, distinct signs like heat, swelling, and pain in the suspensory ligaments emerge.
An altered gait or a flat-footed stance due to a sinking fetlock joint are also indicative of the disease.
Because of its systemic nature, and because connective tissue is present everywhere in a biological entity, the entire body becomes affected in multiple ways as the disease progresses.
Ongoing research is working on the biochemical aspects of the disease and has found a problem in the transfer growth factor and decorin.