How to do mastectomy in dogs?

When the dog has breast tumor, breast necrosis and severe trauma, we need to perform mastectomy for it. If not handled in time, it may threaten the dog's life.

1. local anatomy: the breast is located on both sides of the bottom of the chest and abdomen, starting from the chest and then reaching the pubic bone. The left and right mammary glands are separated by the ventral line, but there is no obvious body surface boundary between the front and rear mammary glands on the same side. There are 4-5 breast regions on each side, which are named as anterior breast, posterior breast, anterior abdomen, posterior abdomen and inguinal breast in turn from front to back. The anterior chest and posterior chest receive blood supply from branches of internal thoracic artery, intercostal artery and external thoracic artery. The anterior abdominal milk receives blood supply from the anterior branch and the posterior superficial branch of the anterior abdominal artery, while the posterior abdominal milk and groin receive blood supply from the posterior superficial branch of the anterior abdominal artery. The drainage lymph nodes of the first two mammary glands are ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes, and the drainage lymph nodes of the last three mammary glands are ipsilateral inguinal lymph nodes. There is no direct connection between the breast lymphatic systems on both sides of the abdominal line.

2. Instruments: general instruments for soft tissue incision, hemostasis and suture.

3. Baoding and anesthesia: Baoding in supine position, full abduction of limbs, general anesthesia.

4. Operation: Take total mastectomy on one side as an example. Make a long oval incision from the chest to the vulva on the inside and outside of the breast. The lateral breast incision is bounded by the edge of breast tissue, and the medial breast incision is bounded by the abdominal line. Pick up the breast skin with tissue forceps and separate the breast from front to back. The first two mammary glands are closely connected with the pectoral muscle and its fascia, which is not easy to fall off, while the last three mammary glands are loosely connected and easy to fall off. Pay attention to stop bleeding when peeling. After stripping the front chest, cover the bare pectoral muscle and fascia with wet gauze before stripping. Then inguinal lymph nodes and axillary lymph nodes were removed. Examine the wound carefully to make sure there is no residual breast tissue. Suture the skin and wrap the abdominal bandage routinely.

5. Postoperative care: systemic application of antibiotics for 4-6 days. Keep the local area dry to prevent bites.