Skin Graft on a Puppy

Plan: Skin graft replacement and hospitalization

The puppy was placed under general anesthesia and a surgical prep of the leg was completed.  A large area of skin was taken from the puppies side using a surgical laser to reduce pain, swelling and scaring.  The graft was then prepped for placement on the hock including making multiple “holes” to allow better stretch over wound bed and drainage.  The graft was secured to the underlying tissue using multiple sterile surgical stapes.  A bandage cast was applied.  During recovery the patient had to be kept in hospital and under strick confinement to allow the new graft to grow vessels into the wound bed.  The bandage was replaced weekly with wound cleaning for approximately 6 wk.  After 2 weeks the staples were removed but the bandaging was continued until significant healing was noted.

Outcome:
Able to save leg and >70% uptake of new skin and a healthy happy puppy!

First images shows the cleaned wound bed on the hock surface, and second image shows placement of the new skin graft onto the hock using surgical staples.

Close up of placement of mesh skin graft during surgery.

Second images is 7 days after surgery and shows up take of graft tissue

Image one shown 2 weeks after surgery with substantial healthy pink tissue.

Image two shown after staple removal

Image shows uptake of graft with healing of skin and start of hair growth on graft.