An axial pattern flap based on the dorsal perineal artery in a cat

Case report A 3‐year‐old male neutered Domestic Shorthair cat was evaluated for a skin mass of approximately 2 × 3 cm arising from the right dorsolateral aspect of the tail at the junction between the proximal and middle one‐thirds of the tail length. Incisional biopsy sample was consistent with granulomatous inflammation. The granuloma was surgically excised with 5 mm margins of normal skin. The resulting defect was closed using an axial pattern flap based on a cutaneous branch of the dorsal perineal artery and augmented by a local subdermal plexus transposition flap. There was 100% survival of the flaps at postoperative days 7, 15 and 21. Clinical significance We describe an axial pattern flap based on a cutaneous branch of the dorsal perineal artery in a cat. This flap offers surgeons a viable option for closing skin defects situated on the proximal one‐third of the tail and a practical alternative to tail amputation.