Hypothesis B Ð Compressive Lesion 

In researching this hypothesis, we found that a compressive lesion on the spinal 
cord would most likely result in bilateral paresis and paralysis.  Our main purpose 
for looking into this hypothesis was to find a connection between the pain 
response displayed when the tail was lifted cranially, and the stifle lameness.  
Depending on the temperament of this dog, the discomfort displayed when the 
tail is lifted cranially may simply be an Òannoyance responseÓ rather than a pain 
response.  We still believe that it would be beneficial to radiograph the spine, in 
order to rule out a lesion that may be unrelated to the stifle lameness.