Surgery and Radiology Section

PROPRIOCEPTIVE POSITIONING REACTION AND WHEEL BARROWING REACTION

Proprioceptive positioning reaction

• Proprioception is the ability of the animal to recognize the location of its limbs without visual information.
• The simplest method of evaluation entails flexing the foot so that the dorsal surface is on the floor.
• The animal should immediately return the foot to a normal position. Most of the  animals do not allow weight bearing to occur in an abnormal position.
• Another method is to place the foot on a sheet of card board and slowly slide the card board laterally.
• As the limb reaches an abnormal position the animal should reposition it for normal weight bearing.
• The first test is the most sensitive for proprioception in the distal extremity whereas the second test is more sensitive for defecting abnormalities in the proximal portion of the limb.

Wheel barrowing reaction

• The animal is supported on abdomen with all the weight on the thoracic limb.
• The normal animal can walk forward and side ways with coordinated movement with the both thoracic limbs.
• This position prevents visual compensation, making the animal mostly dependent on proprioceptive information.