CCAT Gait Analysis and Locomotion 5

Question 1

When observing a dog from behind during gait analysis, excessive medial paw placement ('toeing in') of the hind limbs most likely suggests:

Accepted Answer

Coxa vara or internal rotation of the femur

Answer

Medial paw placement (toe-in) in the hind limbs is associated with coxa vara or femoral internal rotation causing the paw to deviate inward.

Question 2

Which rehabilitation tool provides objective, repeatable kinetic data about limb loading during gait?

Accepted Answer

Pressure-sensitive walkway or force plate

Answer

Pressure-sensitive walkways and force plates measure ground reaction forces, providing objective kinetic data on limb loading during gait.

Question 3

A dog recovering from a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) begins weight-bearing on the operated limb at week 2. What gait parameter would you prioritize assessing at this stage?

Accepted Answer

Symmetry of stance time between operated and non-operated limbs

Answer

Stance time symmetry between limbs is the most clinically relevant early post-operative gait parameter, indicating functional weight-bearing recovery.

Question 4

What is 'ataxia' as it relates to gait in companion animals?

Accepted Answer

Loss of voluntary coordination resulting in unsteady, incoordinated gait

Answer

Ataxia describes incoordinated, unsteady gait caused by disruptions in the nervous system pathways responsible for proprioception and motor control.

Question 5

Which finding during underwater treadmill gait analysis indicates improved neurological function in a dog with spinal cord injury?

Accepted Answer

Voluntary rhythmic stepping without continuous support

Answer

Voluntary rhythmic stepping without continuous therapist support indicates that motor pathways are recovering and the animal can generate coordinated movement.

CCAT Practice Test

CCAT Practice Test

CCAT Gait Analysis and Locomotion 5