RECONSTRUCTION OF DISTAL HIND-LIMB INJURIES IN CATS USING THE CAUDAL SUPERFICIAL EPIGASTRIC SKIN FLAP

Four cats were admitted for treatment of traumatic wounds distal to th e tarsus. The caudal superficial epigastric skin flap was used to reco nstruct each wound. In two cats, an initial flap that included all fou r mammary glands was attempted, but the segment of the flap that incor porated the first mammary gland underwent necrosis. Caudal superficial epigastric flaps that included mammary glands ## 2, 3 and 4 survived completely in three cats. In one cat the distal 3.0 cm, including the second mammary gland, underwent necrosis after a seroma formed. These flaps covered defects that extended beyond the tarsus in all cats and to the digits in two cats.