Hypothesis 1:  Femoral Fracture andSoft Tissue Damage

Diffuse soft tissue damage has caused extensive inflammation, leading to swelling which 
may impinge on joints and nerves, causing pain and resulting in a non-weight bearing 
lameness in the left hind leg.  The soft tissue damage is most likely associated with a 
fracture (most likely of the femur, due to the fact that its continuity was suspect, but it 
could not be precisely located) which further contributes to the non weight-bearing status.