Use of skin stretchers for single-stage bilateral mastectomies in a dog and a cat

Objective To describe the application of skin stretchers for closure of single-stage bilateral mastectomies in a dog and a cat. Study Design Clinical case report. Animals A 12-year-old intact female Miniature Dachshund and a 13-year-old spayed female domestic short-hair cat. Methods Skin stretchers were applied to the site of the skin adjacent to mammary glands for 2-4 days before surgery. Cable tension was adjusted every 6-8 hours to elongate the skin and to achieve primary closure of single-stage bilateral mastectomy without tension. Results Wound closure after single-stage bilateral mastectomy was achieved without tension or major complication in both animals. Conclusion Use of skin stretchers allows primary closure of single-stage bilateral mastectomy in dogs and cats.