Watch video: Introduction

Welcome to the 5th month of the Mentorship Program!

This month we will be discussing a surgical topic and an anesthesia-related topic; but before we discuss any of these subjects, be sure to note the date of the Webinar in your calendar. The webinar is an informative discussion, or what we like to call and ”Ask Me Anything-AMA” session. Come prepared to ask questions or maybe even discuss a case.

Lumpectomies are probably one of the most common type of surgery that is performed in a small clinic. Skin and subcutaneous masses are varied in shape, size and etiology. The excision of a small dermal benign mass is considered a simple surgery (which it is). Unfortunately, it seems the ‘simpler’ a procedure is, the less training or education we actually get on this topic.

So no worries, in this month we are going to actually look at all of those details that your teachers, mentors, and senior clinicians all assume you already know!

Let’s establish for you a strong and solid foundation of knowledge on dealing with lumps.

Often when lumpectomies are being considered, the issue of sedation VS general anesthesia arises. So it is fitting that we delve further into the pros and cons of each option. We will also explore maximizing patient safety during sedation of both cats and dogs.

1 Comments

Watch video: Introduction (1)

FocusandFlourish (Administrator)
December 1, 2025 at 11:54 am

Welcome Everyone! Feel free to post comments or questions. You can also ask questions about anesthesia or sedation. Dr Brock said she would gladly respond even if it a surgical topic this month 😉

3 Comments
FocusandFlourish (Administrator) November 1, 2025 at 9:38 am

Hello everyone!
Welcome to month 5! we will be starting with the surgical information. The videos on sedation will be uploaded within a few days. It is not every year that the Blue Jays are in the World Series and they need our support. I live in Costa Rica and do not have TV here so Nancy is cheering them on for both of us!
If you have any questions or comments and encouraging words for the Jays, please post them here. We check this section regularly and would love to hear from you.
Anne

FocusandFlourish (Administrator) November 10, 2025 at 10:31 am

Awesome question Lorilee! Thank you. Yes, undermining does create space between skin and underlying tissues. So you would never undermine around an incision where there is no tension. For example: When doing a ventral midline abdominal approach; one should take the SQ from where it attaches on the linea alba – but one should not undermine. That would just be creating space. When you have to close an incision under tension , then you should undermine enough to remove the tension at the skin edges. Yes this does create dead space! If it is not much (say a small benign dermal mass is removed) then that ‘dead space” is not significant and the space will be less because you are pulling the skin over a wound so that bit of tension will. help to close it. If you need to undermine a fair bit; I’m thinking almost the length of my fingers (ish) then I would absolutely place a drain – maybe only for a day or two. Especially if it is in an area with motion (behind the scapula for instance). If not a high motion area and maybe just a ‘short finger’ distance, you can use a bandage to help keep the dead space closed. Dead space refers to an area where the skin has lifted from the underlying tissues – which means that fluid will accumulate there. (the body just has to fill space – kind of like me and an empty closet :)) It is the fluid in the space that is an issue as it prevents the tissues from adhering to one another.
I hope this helps.

FocusandFlourish (Administrator) November 23, 2025 at 11:19 am

Hi Everyone
Just a friendly reminder that we have our monthly discussion meeting this week, Wednesday Nov 26th at 1:00pm Toronto time. Looking forward to seeing you there! Bring your questions, cases to discuss or simply come to hear what others have to say on these and perhaps other topics! Technicians welcomed (encouraged) to join us also.

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