Surgical site infections (SSI) are common complications with a prevalence of 0.8 to 18%.Many risk factors, such as patient, environmental and treatment factors can contribute to thedevelopment of SSI. Two dogs that developed a SSI after forelimb amputation are discussed. Thefirst dog was presented with an open comminuted intra-articular fracture of the right elbow. Thesecond dog was diagnosed with a soft-tissue sarcoma at the right elbow. Perioperative cefazolinwas administered in both patients. Only in the first patient, antimicrobial therapy was continuedin the postoperative period. Both dogs developed an SSI within four to five days postoperatively.Yet, prophylactic antimicrobials can help to prevent SSI, provided that the correct antimicrobialis used at the correct dose, at the right time and given IV. Factors, such as hypothermia, violatingthe Halsted’s principles and the number of people present in the theater may increase therisk of SSI. Besides the meticulous use of antimicrobials, perioperative management is thus alsoimportant in SSI prevention.