Wound closure and reconstruction should aim to return the patient to normal function as soon as possible. To achieve this aim, the key questions in decision-making are when and how a particular wound should be closed. To answer these, the veterinary surgeon must take into account a number of factors such as the overall condition of the patient, how the wound was caused, and the degree of trauma at the site of the wound. Failure to take such factors into account may not only lead to local wound complications and dehiscence but, with severe trauma, the consequences to the patient could be catastrophic. Essentially there are two key areas of management: the whole patient; and the local wound environment. Assessment and stabilization; Timing of wound closure; Basic closure techniques; Reconstructive techniques; Orthopaedic injuries; Basic principles of reconstructive oncological surgery; and Planning management and reconstruction are all considered.