During a recent Vet and Tech webinar, Dr. Clare Goh of Colorado State University gave some helpful reminders for veterinarians trying to do an orthopedic exam on cats.
As we all know, most cats won’t walk or gait on a leash and, even if they do, it’s very unlikely they’re going to cooperate at the veterinary clinic. Here’s a solution (and thank goodness for all those smartphones):
If you suspect your cat is not moving normally or if she is obviously lame, Dr. Goh suggests getting good quality video at home. Your cat is less stressed when at home and her movement will be much truer than if she is stressed and trying to hide or gets panicked and freezes.
If you can, try to get video from the side, and with your cat going away from you, and another one with your cat coming toward you. A “selfie stick” can be helpful for getting down to your cat’s height if that’s not easy for you. It is important to take the video at the cat’s level, not from above.
She also stated that even with the video, once you get to the veterinarian’s office, many cats may need a little sedation for a complete exam.
