Tier 3 — Best if your dog has lameness, a suspected injury, or an existing diagnosis. Submit gait videos and medical records in advance for a specialist case review and discussion of next steps. Tier 2 — Best if you want deeper guidance on conditioning, mobility, and long-term athletic health. Your dog participates live, and Dr. Canapp guides you through movement checks and stretching in real time. Tier 1 — Best for healthy, active dogs where the goal is injury prevention. Dr. Canapp reviews your submitted gait videos and provides movement insights during the session.

Tier 1 is a guidance-based review. Dr. Canapp reviews the gait videos submitted in advance and provides movement insights and injury-prevention guidance during the consultation. Tier 2 is interactive — your dog participates live while Dr. Canapp guides you through movement checks, stretching, and conditioning exercises, allowing for deeper evaluation and more personalized coaching.

For all tiers, you will submit gait videos in advance so Dr. Canapp can review your dog's movement prior to the consultation. For Tier 3, you will also submit medical records and diagnostic imaging, X-rays required. This preparation allows the consultation to focus on analysis and guidance rather than information gathering.

After booking, you will receive clear filming instructions. No professional equipment is required — simple smartphone videos are perfect. Typically this includes: walking toward and away from the camera, trotting toward and away from the camera, side-view movement at walk and trot on both sides, and basic turns.

A definitive diagnosis cannot be made remotely without an in-person orthopedic examination. However, the consultation allows Dr. Canapp to explain existing diagnostic results in depth, provide the full range of treatment options for diagnosed conditions, create a roadmap for your rehab therapist or veterinarian, and determine whether an in-person evaluation should be the next step.

For Tier 3 consultations, you will receive a written summary with recommendations and suggested next steps — including possible diagnostics, rehabilitation considerations, and guidance on whether an in-person evaluation with Dr. Canapp would be beneficial. For Tier 1 and Tier 2, recommendations are provided during the consultation itself, but a written report is not included.

Yes. Many owners — especially those outside Maryland or California — use the Tier 3 teleconsult to review their dog's condition before traveling. This helps determine whether Dr. Canapp is the right specialist for the case, whether travel for an in-person orthopedic exam would be appropriate, and what diagnostics may be helpful before the visit.

No referral is required. Owners can book directly.

Yes. These consultations are valuable for any active dog, including agility, obedience, field, flyball, disc, working/IGP, herding, and active companion dogs of any age. The goal is to support long-term soundness, mobility, and performance.

Yes. Your rehabilitation therapist or veterinarian are welcome to attend the consultation. Many owners find it helpful to include members of their dog's care team so everyone can discuss the case together and coordinate next steps.

No. These consultations are designed to complement the care provided by your veterinarian or rehabilitation therapist, offering additional specialist insight when appropriate. Diagnostics or treatment must be performed in person by your veterinarian or by Dr. Canapp during an in-person visit.

Yes. Some owners start with Tier 1 or Tier 2 for performance assessment, and if a potential injury is identified they may choose to schedule a Tier 3 consultation or an in-person orthopedic evaluation.