Steven F. Swaim, M.S., D.V.M. Dr. Steve Swaim, Professor Emeritus of Small Animal Surgery and Medicine, received his DVM from Kansas State University in 1965. He practiced small animal surgery and medicine in Wichita, KS prior to entering the U.S. Army, serving in the Veterinary Corp at the Army's Medical Research Laboratories at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland where he conducted surgical research. In 1969 he returned to small animal practice in Denver, CO before starting graduate work at Auburn University. Initially, his research, teaching, and interests were in neurology and neurosurgery, but since 1976, he has focused attention on small animal wound management and reconstructive surgery. He has published numerous papers, book chapters, and two books on wound management and reconstructive surgery. A third book, "Small Animal Distal Limb Injuries", is being prepared. He lectures internationally on wound management and reconstructive surgery and has received the Ralston-Purina Research Award, the SmithKline Beecham Research Award, and the American Animal Hospital Association Veterinarian of the Year Award for extensive contributions to the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery.
swaimsf@vetmed.auburn.edu
Research Interests Dr. Swaim's research has been directed toward development and evaluation of new reconstructive surgical procedures to correct problem wounds encountered by veterinary practitioners and research on the prevention and treatment of problem wounds in both humans and animals. Wounds on the distal limbs of dogs and cats can be difficult to repair. Dr. Swaim has developed various types of skin and paw pad flaps and grafts for reconstruction or salvage of traumatized or infected paws, - e.g. "phalangeal fillet", fusion podoplasty technique, and paw pad grafts. He has evaluated various medications to improve healing of wounds. Dr. Swaim's work includes evaluation of paw injury and stress in canine athletes including studies of Alaskan sled dogs and field trial dogs. Dr. Swaim's research includes studies of a comparative medicine nature. He has been involved in studies investigating the prevention of decubital ulcers, a problem wound in animals and people. These studies involve the use of biochemical antagonists. Thromboxane A2 (TxA2) causes skin microvascular constriction and thrombosis, these exacerbate pressure-induced vascular insufficiency. Initial studies indicate a reduction in pressure-induced dermal pathology with either topical or systemic administration of a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor as a biochemical antagonist. Research with a recombinant "Simulium" vittatum erythema protein has been performed. Application of the protein results in tissue vasiodilation which has been shown to be beneficial in wound healing. The technology could have application in treatment of problem wounds in animals and people. He has also worked with studies using an animal model to evaluate a novel technique for relief of plantar pressure. These studies were aimed at preventing plantar calluses, a problem in greyhounds and diabetic people with impending foot ulcers. Recent Publications Swaim SF: Surgery of Traumatized Skin: Management and Reconstruction in the Dog and Cat. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia. 1980 Swaim SF, Henderson RA: Small Animal Wound Management. 2nd ed. Lippincott/Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore. 1997 Swaim SF, Bradley DM, Steiss JE, et al: Free Segmental Paw Pad Grafts in Dogs. Amer Jour Vet Res 1993; 54:2161-2170. Swaim SF, Bradley DM, Vaughn DM, et al: Evaluation of a Thromboxane Synthetase Inhibitor in the Prevention of Dermal Pressure Lesions. Wounds 1994; 6:74-82. Swaim SF, Hanson RR, Coates J: Pressure Wounds in Animals. Compend Contin Educ 1996; 18:203-217. Swaim SF, Vaughn DM, Kincaid SA, et al: Effects of Locally Injected Medications on the Healing of Pad Wounds in Dogs. Amer Jour Vet Res 1996; 57:394-399. Swaim SF, Gillette RL: An Update on Wound Medications and Dressings. Compend Contin Educ 1998; 20:1133-1145. Swaim SF, Gillette RL, Sartin EA, et al: Effects of Hydrolyzed Collagen Dressing on the Healing of Open Wounds in Dogs. Amer Jour Vet Res 2000; 61 1574-1578. Swaim SF, Marghitu DB, Rumph PF, et al: Effects of Bandage Configuration on Paw Pad Pressure in Dogs: A Preliminary Study. Jour Amer Anim Hosp Assoc; 39: 209-216 Cupp MS, Swaim SF, Amalsadvala T, et al: Use of Recombinant Vasoactive Protein (rSVEP) to Enhance Healing of Surgically Created Wounds. Wounds 2004; 16: 85-90.