1.1 Lameness evaluation in Small Animals

Question 1

What is the COMPlete clinical examination for small animal lameness?

Answer 1

(c) - client: history and key features

• signalment: sex, breed, age, use
• current lameness: hx of trauma, duration, deterioration/improvement, effects of exercise/rest, any changes to management preceeding lameness
• past lameness
• other sources: imaging, records, etc.

(O) - observation: stance, gait, lameness

• patient moves toward, away, and across your field of vision
• circle/turn to exaggerate abnormalities
  1. localize to limb first: raises on lame (less loading) -> watch head for the forelimb and hip or tarsus for the hind limb
  2. now concentrate on affected limb and characterize/score lameness

(M) - manipulation: check capacity and ability of the limbs and structures to move

• move the limb and joint in a controlled fashion to determine: ROM, abnormal movement, and pain
• load and unload specific structures in the limb

(P) - palpation: evaluate the anatomical structures of the limbs and spine

• feel the contours of the limb and spine anatomy
• light pressure is good to assess fine or superficial structures
• deep pressure is goof to assess hard-to-reach structures, and pain
• check for changes with movement (e.g., tensing/slacking of ligament)

you may then assess via radiography if necessary, BUT do not over-rely on it: the examination of a patient is infinitely more important to a lameness assessment (e.g., hip dysplasia: while significant on radiography, they may not be the cause of pain or lameness in the presenting animal)

this prof created an exam question with hindlimb lameness and 24% of people went straight to a hip CT with NO mention of a physical exam. DO NOT DO THIS. “Examine the damn patient”!