CCAT Gait Analysis and Locomotion 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary gait pattern used by dogs at slow walking speeds?
- Trot
- Walk (Correct answer)
- Pace
- Canter
Correct answer: Walk
The walk is a four-beat lateral gait used at slow speeds where each limb strikes the ground independently in a specific sequence.
Question 2: Which phase of the gait cycle is defined as the period when the paw is in contact with the ground and bearing weight?
- Swing phase
- Float phase
- Stance phase (Correct answer)
- Propulsion phase
Correct answer: Stance phase
The stance phase is the portion of the gait cycle where the paw contacts the ground and bears the animal's weight.
Question 3: What instrument provides the most objective measurement of ground reaction forces during canine gait analysis?
- Goniometer
- Inclinometer
- Force plate (Correct answer)
- Dynamometer
Correct answer: Force plate
Force plates measure peak vertical force, impulse, and other ground reaction forces, providing the gold-standard objective assessment of lameness.
Question 4: In a normal trotting dog, which limbs move as diagonal pairs simultaneously?
- Both forelimbs together
- Right fore and right hind
- Right fore and left hind (Correct answer)
- Both hindlimbs together
Correct answer: Right fore and left hind
In a trot, diagonal limb pairs (right fore with left hind, left fore with right hind) move simultaneously, making it a two-beat gait.
Question 5: What does 'stride length' refer to in canine gait analysis?
- Distance from one paw contact to the next contact of the same paw (Correct answer)
- Distance between front and rear paw prints on the same side
- Width between right and left paw prints
- Time from one footfall to the next footfall of any limb
Correct answer: Distance from one paw contact to the next contact of the same paw
Stride length is the distance from one footfall of a limb to the next footfall of the same limb, encompassing one complete gait cycle.
Question 6: What gait abnormality is characterized by simultaneous movement of both hindlimbs during locomotion, often seen with hip dysplasia?
- Ataxia
- Dysmetria
- Bunny hopping (Correct answer)
- Crabbing
Correct answer: Bunny hopping
Bunny hopping occurs when both hindlimbs advance simultaneously rather than alternating, commonly observed with hip dysplasia or bilateral hindlimb weakness.
Question 7: On a standard 0–5 canine lameness scale, which score best describes lameness that is consistently visible at a walk and does not improve at any gait?
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
- Grade 3 (Correct answer)
- Grade 5
Correct answer: Grade 3
A grade 3 lameness on a 0–5 scale indicates lameness consistently visible at a walk that persists at all gaits without disappearing.
CCAT Gait Analysis and Locomotion 1
What is the primary gait pattern used by dogs at slow walking speeds?