CCAT Patient Assessment & Treatment Planning 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A therapist is assessing a dog with a suspected T3-L3 spinal cord lesion. Which reflex would be EXPECTED to be intact or exaggerated?
- Flexor (withdrawal) reflex of the pelvic limb
- Patellar reflex
- Perineal reflex
- Both A and B (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both A and B
A T3-L3 lesion is above the lumbar intumescence, so lower motor neuron reflexes in the pelvic limbs (patellar, withdrawal) are intact or hyperreflexic due to loss of upper motor neuron inhibition.
Question 2: When documenting a subjective pain assessment from an owner during initial intake, which question provides the MOST clinically useful information?
- 'Does your pet seem happy?'
- 'How many times per day does your pet limp, and during which activities?' (Correct answer)
- 'Would you say your pet is in pain?'
- 'Is your pet eating normally?'
Correct answer: 'How many times per day does your pet limp, and during which activities?'
Quantifying frequency and identifying specific activities that provoke lameness provides actionable, measurable baseline information and helps identify functional limitations.
Question 3: In a multimodal treatment plan for a dog with chronic elbow osteoarthritis, which component directly targets the neuroplastic pain component?
- Passive ROM to maintain joint mobility
- Gabapentin prescribed by the veterinarian for central sensitization (Correct answer)
- Hydrotherapy for cardiovascular conditioning
- Therapeutic ultrasound for tissue heating
Correct answer: Gabapentin prescribed by the veterinarian for central sensitization
Gabapentin targets central sensitization (neuroplastic/neuropathic pain), which is a key component of chronic osteoarthritis pain that peripheral modalities do not adequately address.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a reassessment interval in a rehabilitation treatment plan?
- To bill for additional services without additional workup
- To allow the patient time to plateau before changing treatment
- To objectively measure progress against baseline and adjust the plan accordingly (Correct answer)
- To transfer the patient to a different therapist
Correct answer: To objectively measure progress against baseline and adjust the plan accordingly
Scheduled reassessments compare current objective measures to baseline findings, confirm progress toward goals, and allow evidence-based modification of the treatment plan.
Question 5: A therapist notes crepitus in a dog's stifle during passive flexion. This finding is most consistent with which condition?
- Acute ligamentous sprain without joint involvement
- Cartilage degeneration or osteophyte formation within the joint (Correct answer)
- Muscle strain of the quadriceps
- Normal joint movement in large-breed dogs
Correct answer: Cartilage degeneration or osteophyte formation within the joint
Crepitus during joint movement indicates surface irregularities such as cartilage degradation, osteophytes, or loose bodies within the joint, consistent with osteoarthritis or joint pathology.
Question 6: For a feline patient undergoing rehabilitation after a femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO), which assessment timeline reflects appropriate progression?
- Full return to normal activity within 2 weeks post-op
- Progressive weight-bearing assessment at 2, 4, and 8 weeks with ROM and muscle mass measurements (Correct answer)
- No reassessment needed if the cat is eating normally
- Weight-bearing assessment only at the 12-week mark
Correct answer: Progressive weight-bearing assessment at 2, 4, and 8 weeks with ROM and muscle mass measurements
Serial assessments at 2, 4, and 8 weeks allow tracking of weight-bearing progression, muscle mass recovery, and ROM, enabling timely plan adjustments during the FHO recovery period.
Question 7: Which of the following is the MOST appropriate method to assess deep pain perception in a dog suspected of severe spinal cord injury?
- Observing for withdrawal of the limb when the paw is squeezed
- Applying firm pressure to the bone with a hemostat and observing for a behavioral response such as crying or turning (Correct answer)
- Checking for a patellar reflex
- Evaluating voluntary tail movement
Correct answer: Applying firm pressure to the bone with a hemostat and observing for a behavioral response such as crying or turning
Deep pain perception requires a conscious response (vocalization, turning to look, attempts to bite) to noxious stimulation of bone or deep tissues, distinguishing it from the spinal reflex-mediated withdrawal response.
CCAT Patient Assessment & Treatment Planning 5
A therapist is assessing a dog with a suspected T3-L3 spinal cord lesion.
Which reflex would be EXPECTED to be intact or exaggerated?