CCAT Gait Analysis and Locomotion

Question 1

What is the primary gait pattern used by dogs at slow walking speeds?

Accepted Answer

Walk

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Stance phase

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Force plate

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Right fore and left hind

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Distance from one paw contact to the next contact of the same paw

Answer

Stride length is the distance from one footfall of a limb to the next footfall of the same limb, encompassing one complete gait cycle.

CCAT Practice Test