Which abnormal gait is characterized by shortened stride with hindleg circling the forelimb and asymmetric pelvic motion?

Which abnormal gait is characterized by shortened stride with hindleg circling the forelimb and asymmetric pelvic motion?

• A. Gait
• B. Lameness
• C. Convergence or plaiting
• D. Conformation

Answer: (C)

Plaiting, also known as convergence, is a gait pattern where the hind limbs move toward the midline and may cross in front of the forelimbs. This causes a shortened stride because the hind feet don’t fully extend forward before the next step, and the pelvis often moves asymmetrically as the limbs cross over. It’s a distinctive cross-over motion rather than a pain-driven weight-bearing issue. The other terms don’t describe this specific movement: a general gait is any pattern of locomotion; lameness refers to pain-related irregular weight bearing rather than a characteristic cross-over stride; conformation is about body structure, not how the animal moves.

Plaiting, also known as convergence, is a gait pattern where the hind limbs move toward the midline and may cross in front of the forelimbs. This causes a shortened stride because the hind feet don’t fully extend forward before the next step, and the pelvis often moves asymmetrically as the limbs cross over. It’s a distinctive cross-over motion rather than a pain-driven weight-bearing issue. The other terms don’t describe this specific movement: a general gait is any pattern of locomotion; lameness refers to pain-related irregular weight bearing rather than a characteristic cross-over stride; conformation is about body structure, not how the animal moves.