Janet E. Steiss, DVM, PhD, PT Associate Professor of Anatomy, rejoined the College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004 where she teaches anatomy and continues to work in the area of canine rehabilitation. Dr. Steiss graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph (1975). After working in a mixed practice, she returned to academia to study neurophysiology, and graduated with a PhD from the University of Georgia (1981).  From 1986 to 1999, she was on the faculty at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, focusing on electrodiagnostic testing, particularly electromyography, and research on neuromuscular diseases of dogs.  In order to pursue her interest in rehabilitation of neuromuscular disorders, she enrolled in the Masters Degree Program in Physical Therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and graduated in 2000.  After serving briefly on faculty in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at UAB, she returned to veterinary medicine in 2001, as an Associate Professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University.  Dr Steiss is a licensed physical therapist.  She also is past-president of the American Canine Sports Medicine Association.
334-844-8505 steisje@vetmed.auburn.edu
Research Interests Canine physical therapy; neuromuscular disorders of companion animals; canine sports medicine. Selected Publications Steiss JE and Wright JC.  (2008)  Respiratory alkalosis and primary hypocapnia in Labrador Retrievers participating in field trials in high-ambient-temperature conditions.  Am J Vet Res 69(10):1262-1267. Steiss JE, Schaffer C, Ahmad HA and Voith, VL.  (2006)  Evaluation of plasma cortisol levels and behaviour in dogs wearing bark control collars.  Appl Anim Behav Sci 106.96-106. Steiss J, Ahmad HA, Cooper P, and Ledford C.  (2004)  Physiologic responses in healthy Labrador Retrievers during field trial training and competition.  J Vet Intern Med 18:147-151.    Steiss JE, Adams CC.  (1999)  Effect of coat on rate of temperature increase in muscle during ultrasound treatment of dogs.  Am J Vet Res 60:76-80.   Steiss JE, Braund KG, Wright JC, et al.  (1999)  Coccygeal muscle damage in English Pointers (limber tail). J Vet Intern Med 13:540-548. Click here to view a video of a Pointer affected with "limber tail."  At the end of the video, the examiner is palpating an area near the tail base which sometimes appears painful in dogs during the acute phase. Video may take a moment to fully load. To best view this video, right click on the link and select "save file as".  After you have saved the video file to your computer, you can view it on the media player of your choice.  This file is best viewed with Windows Media Player Limber Tail Steiss JE, Bradley DM, MacDonald J, et.al.  (1995)  Electromyographic findings in dogs with lick granuloma (letter to the editor. Vet Dermatol 6:115-116.