Examination of the lame cat and dog.

• Consider signalment - what breed?

  Labrador retriever for elbow dysplasia.

  West Highland White terrier for cruciate disease
• Consider signalment - the age of the animal

  Osteoarthritis in the older animal

  Panosteritis in the younger animal.

  Cruciate disease in the young and middle aged animal.
• Clinical examination - systematic and consistent

  Observation in the consulting room (difficult with cats)

  Dogs walked outside.

  Full clinical exam (head to tail)

  Lameness examination

  Neurological examination.
• Lameness examination in the dog

  Head nod forlimb (animal is lame on the other limb)

  Hip rise (pelvic lift or hip hike) and reduced stride length for hind limb (the animal is lame on this limb).

  Neurological defects:

  • Catches nail on the ground.
  • Turn in tight circle to exaggerate deficits.

  Flex limb and set off
• Lameness examination in the cat

  Observe in consulting room.

  Encourage movement with treats and open basket.

  Sometimes placing the cat facing a corner will encourage it to turn around and walk away from this area. Ask owners for any videos of the lameness.

  It is best to minimise handling and restraint when examining the cat, they will rarely show consistent pain on manipulation of their limbs.
• Radiographic examination of lameness

  Good quality orthogonal views.

  Contrast studies - used infrequently due to increased availability of advanced imaging including ultrasound to investigate suspected foreign bodies.

  Examine for primary and secondary disease.

  Distinguish between erosive and non-erosive forms of polyarthritis.
• Joint taps for lameness

  Single joint - if only one joint is swollen (in osteoarthritis or septic arthritis)

  Multiple joints if polyarthritis is suspected.

  Examine in house:

  • Diff Quick
  • Many neutrophils is suggestive of sepsis or if in several joints a polyarthritis.
• Advanced imaging in lameness - CT

  ParticuLarry useful for elbows when can clearly see FCP and for a humeral intracondylar fissure.

  Also mineralisation of the infra and supraspinatous tendons.
• Advanced imaging in lameness - MRI

  Better soft tissue definition and good for stifles, shoulders and detection of foreign bodies.

  Also to examine spine for nerve root tumours and lumbosacral disease.
• Advanced imaging in lameness - ultrasound


  Used occasionally e.g. bicipital, Achilles/gastroc, patella and flexor tendons.

  Also can be useful for the detection of foreign bodies (grass seeds)