Mesh skin graft: Step 1 (large photo)

After administering general anesthesia, place the animal in lateral recumbency with the affected area exposed. Remove the bandage and protect the wound with a sterile saline-moistened sponge. Prepare the skin around the wound for aseptic surgery. Take care to keep scrub and antiseptic solution off the wound.

To protect the wound while preparing the donor site, wrap the affected limb with a section of sterile aluminum foil torn from a roll that has been autoclaved. An assistant can easily remove the foil after the limb is draped.

To prepare the donor site for aseptic surgery, clip and surgically scrub the lower craniolateral thoracic area. Clip widely to ensure that haired skin will not be pulled from under the drapes when the donor site is closed. Then drape the animal so the wound and donor site are both accessible.

If the wound has a bed of granulation tissue that has started to epithelialize, remove the epithelium with a thumb forceps and a No. 15 scalpel blade. Then place a piece of sterile cloth over the wound to absorb blood and provide an outline of the wound. Cut the cloth along the outline with scissors to fit the wound.

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