The walk and trot are symmetrical gaits. In this type of gait the movements of the right side mirror the movements of the left side. The gallop is an example of an asymmetrical gait , whereby the limbs of one side move in a different pattern then limbs on the other side. Lameness Lameness is defined as a variance from normal gait. Anatomical lameness may not necessarily be from pain, and can be genetic or acquired.
Pathological lameness can be neural or musculoskeletal.
Musculoskeletal lameness is usually caused by pain . Two diagnostic tools to assess lameness are gait analysis and the physical exam. The amount of variance from a normal gait is defined in degrees of lameness. Most abnormalalities can be detected with subjective gait analysis. A dog with a lesion causing severe sharp constant pain will carry the limb and keep the wieight off it when lying down.