Table 3 Physical exams score for motility and postural features from dystrophic dogs

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