From the use of hot and cold packs to new forms of narcotics,
James Roush, professor of clinical sciences, is studying ways to
lessen pain after surgery and improve care for small animals,
particularly dogs. He is working with the clinical patients who
come to the College of Veterinary Medicine's Veterinary Health
Center. Because humans and dogs experience some diseases in
similar ways, his research may improve how doctors and
physicians understand human health, too. "Several of our
projects have human applications, particularly one involving
intra-articular prolotherapy," Roush said. Here's a closer look
at three of Roush's current projects: * A recent project with
Ralph Millard, former Veterinary Health Center resident, focuses
on ways that hot packing and cold packing affect tissue
temperature in beagles and beagle-sized dogs after surgery.
After surgery in both humans and dogs it is common to put a cold
pack or hot pack on tissue to prevent and reduce swelling. How
long the pack is used and what type of c