Hans Coetzee

My research focuses on developing and validating practical methods to assess and relieve pain in livestock, particularly cattle and swine, in order to improve animal welfare in food-animal production systems. More specifically, my work centers on: 1. Identifying objective behavioral, physiological, and neuroendocrine biomarkers of pain and distress in food animals, including gait analysis and lameness models. 2. Evaluating the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and tissue residues of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs (especially NSAIDs such as meloxicam, flunixin, and related compounds) in cattle, pigs, goats, and other species. 3. Supporting regulatory approval of livestock analgesics and developing science-based pain mitigation protocols for routine husbandry procedures to enhance animal welfare while maintaining productive, sustainable livestock systems.