GAIT ANALYSIS IN GIANT ANTEATER (MYRMECOPHAGA TRIDACTYLA) WITH THE USE OF A PRESSURE-SENSITIVE WALKWAY.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the kinetic and temporospatial parameters of clinically healthy juvenile giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) by using a pressure-sensing walkway. Three free-ranging clinically healthy giant anteaters (M. tridactyla), two males and one female, aged 5-7 mo, were used. There was no statistically significant difference between the right and left sides for the kinetic and temporospatial parameters for both forelimbs and hind limbs. Although the gait velocity was similar for all giant anteaters, the stride frequency was higher in the smaller anteaters. The difference in stride frequency is associated with body size, which also influenced other temporospatial parameters. The percentage of body distribution was higher on the forelimbs than the hind limbs. The contact surface and trajectory of the force of the forepaws differed from the hind paws. In conclusion, the anteaters have gait peculiarities associated with the anatomical differences between forelimbs and hind limbs.

Gait analysis in a cat with scapular luxation and contralateral forelimb amputation.

This report describes the use of a pressure-sensitive walkway to evaluate an uncommon case of a cat with dorsal luxation of the left scapula and an amputated right forelimb. The findings suggest that limb amputation induced load redistribution mostly to the contralateral forelimb despite the scapular luxation.

Analyse de la démarche chez chat atteint d'une luxation scapulaire et de l'amputation de la patte avant controlatérale. Ce rapport décrit l'utilisation d'une plaque sensible à la pression pour évaluer le cas rare d'un chat atteint d'une luxation dorsale de l'omoplate gauche et ayant une patte avant droite amputée. Les résultats suggèrent que l'amputation a induit la redistribution du poids surtout vers la patte avant controlatérale malgré la luxation scapulaire.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Gait analysis in dogs with pelvic fractures treated conservatively using a pressure-sensing walkway.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate dogs with pelvic fractures and treated conservatively during locomotion on a pressure-sensing walkway. The hypothesis was that dogs may present changes in kinetic and temporospatial parameters because of the fractures, which may interfere with the symmetry index. Thirty dogs were selected and divided into two groups: Group 1-healthy group (n = 15) and Group 2-conservatively treated group (n = 15). The dogs were of similar body size. The body weight distribution percentages and symmetry indices of the peak vertical force, vertical impulse, stance time, swing time, percentage of stance time, and percentage of swing time of the hind limbs were evaluated. RESULTS: In Group 2, the time interval between fracture occurrence and patient evaluation was between 4 and 87 months (mean of 20 months). Four dogs had lower percentage of body weight distribution on one of the hind limbs while three dogs had greater weight distributed toward both hind limbs. Four of these dogs had alterations in the temporospatial and/or kinetic symmetry indices. CONCLUSIONS: Dogs with pelvic fractures treated conservatively may present changes in percentage of body weight distribution and symmetry indices of the kinetic and temporospatial parameters. The conservative treatment can cause persistent abnormal gait.