Table 3

Physical exams score for motility and postural features from dystrophic dogs

Scores

CRITERIA
0
1
2

1. Posture symmetry
Symmetric animal
Slight asymmetry: discreet lordosis
High asymmetry: lordosis posture and tail elevation
2. Increase of tarsal normal angle (plantigrady)




Absent
modest
severe (walk on tarsus)
3. Increase of carpal normal angle (palmigrady)




Absent
modest
severe (walk on carpus)
4. Stifle stiffness while moving
normal stifle motility
slight stifle stiffness
severe stifle stiffness associated with short strides
5. Pelvic balance




Normal
reduced
absent
6. Postural tone (muscle palpation and inspection)




normal tone
hypotonic
flaccid
7. Contractures
Absent
decrease in passive range of motion
contractures limiting passive range of motion
8. Hopping




Normal
reduced
inability to achieve postural reaction
9. Standing up
Normal
ability reduced (perform task slowly/slower)


inability to stand up alone


10. Barrier crossing
normal
reduced
inability to jump
11. Food prehension
Eat normal dry food
changed for wet food
laborious swallowing
12. Locomotion apparatus structure
strong
losing structures components as muscle mass and bone fragilities
weak and thin

Total score = 24




Kerkis et al. Journal of Translational Medicine 2008 6:35   doi:10.1186/1479-5876-6-35